Abercrombie & Fitch Must Pay for Harassing Former Employee

by Erin Donnelly (Subscribe to Erin Donnelly's posts)
Posted Aug 17th 2009 at 6:35PM

It's pretty on the outside, at least. Photos: Mario Tama, Getty Images

Abercrombie & Fitch is going to need to push some extra moose-emblazoned button-downs and hoodies today.

Britain's Central London Employment Tribunal awarded former employee Riam Dean £9,014 (approximately $14,696) after ruling that the clothing giant had harassed her about her prosthetic arm, reports the Daily Mail.

Dean, who worked at the Abercrombie & Fitch's London flagship store, sued the company for discrimination against her disability, claiming bosses banished her to the stockroom rather than use her on the sales floor, and even suggested that she stay out of sight until the colder months, when employee uniforms allowed for more arm coverage.

Though the tribunal did acknowledge that Abercrombie & Fitch created an "adversely humiliating environment" for Dean -- who quit after just five shifts -- they did not find evidence of direct discrimination, due to the fact that all store employees must adhere to the in-house looks policy dictating appearance.

Hey, £9,014 could buy a ton of rugby shirts, but something tells us Dean will take her money elsewhere.

Read All Comments

Filed under: News
Tags: Abercrombie, abercrombie-and-fitch, Abercrombie-fitch, Abercrombie-fitch-sued, Discrimination, harrassment, lawsuit, prosthetic-arm

Style Around the Web

ImaxTree

Make Up Tips For Girls With Glasses - Refinery29
How Celebs Work Red Into Their Wardrobe - FabSugar
Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions - The Daily Beast
Deodorants that Actually Work - Daily Candy
Would You Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts As Skirts? - The Frisky
Tricks That Guarantee Gorgeous Hair - Daily Makeover
Celebs Have Us Seeing Stars - People Style Watch

READER COMMENTS

(9)Add A Comment

newsy1, 8-18-2009, 12:36AM

I'm so glad this girl got money out of those sleaze bags. I wrote a blog on this when this first happened titled: Abercrombie&Fitch; hiring only the attractive an "ugly" policy. it is at http://newsy1.wordpress.com

Reply »

zface, 8-20-2009, 1:42PM

its true...i used to work at one on long island and they put the "tanner" people in the front....the majority of the African Americans working there were put in the stock room...i was even told to get tanner and this was back in 2004

Reply »

kool, 9-09-2009, 4:27PM

you guys can visit www.koolsense.com for more A&F clothing

Reply »

cledis03, 9-17-2009, 6:49AM

they hire u for the job they need at the time not move people around my friend was hired as a stockroom helper and he was fine that he never was out with people and i work on the floor because i applyed when the need floor help this gir was probably hired as a stocker and want to be on the floor.

Reply »

Parissa, 9-17-2009, 10:00AM

Why would ANYONE shop at this far overrated, overpriced, sexist, vulgar, 'has-been' retailer? They need to be put out of business!!!!

Reply »

Parissa, 9-17-2009, 10:01AM

cledis03, your 'this girl was probably hired as a stocker and wanted to be on the floor,' comment is absurd! Of course your words are indicitive of YOUR stupidity and obliviousness to the issue that the British 'court' DID get! (How this world will survive with multitudes of 'clueless' like you, I'm not sure!!!!!) This 'girl' was OBVIOUSLY sent to the 'back-room' because she didn't represent the shallow, vulgar, insensitive, despicable values this store promotes at every level! In reality, this girl won on TWO counts: first of all she is TOO GOOD to be an Abercrombie&Fitch employee ... and secondly, she took them to court and WON! Good for her! I hope others in similar situations as this ~ or any other store who seems to feel 'REAL PEOPLE' won't 'DO' in the work place ~ do the same and that this worthless retailer is forced into bankruptcy in due course! Frankly, I'd rather shop Wal-Mart (and I can't stand them either!)!

Reply »