It looks like popular clothing brand Abercrombie and Fitch is facing legal trouble again. Last month the US Supreme Court voted 8-1 against the fashion brand in a workplace discrimination lawsuit. The company was accused of turning down a Muslim job applicant because she wore a hijab. Their latest legal woes are much more serious however.
62,000 Abercrombie employees have successfully filed a class action law suit claiming that the company forced them to purchase the brand's clothes in order to adhere to its strict 'look policy' which dictates what employees can wear while on the job. The Huffington Post secured an interview with Reed Marcy, one of the attorney's representing the plaintiffs. He cited two specific instances where Abercrombie violated labour laws.
The first is the fact that the company compelled its workers to purchase these clothes 'whenever a new sales guide came out.' In addition, Abercrombie failed to provide reimbursement for these purchases even though they constitute a specific work uniform.
The next part of Marcy's argument concerns the lost shifts and income employees incurred as a result of being unable to meet the company's excessive demands with regards to clothing and grooming. Abercrombie and Fitch's look policy dictates everything down from hairstyle and colour, makeup style, and even fingernail length. Marcy claims these strict policies are 'discriminatory and illegal.'
In 2013, Buzzfeed published a story detailing some of the provisions in the brand's look manual. They showed a handbook which detailed some of the things Marcy mentions. Here are some excerpts:
"Fingernails should not extend more than 1/4 inch beyond the tip of the finger. Although a natural nail is preferred, if polish is worn, it should be clear or natural in color."
"No associate is permitted to wear any extreme hair styles or hair color. Hair styles and hair color should reflect your natural beauty."
