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Newark, NJ - Woman Corrections Officer Fired for Wearing Muslim Head Scarf |
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The suit, filed in federal court in Newark on behalf of Yvette Beshier, asks for a court order forcing the county to accommodate religious observances as part of its uniform code for corrections officers.
"Employees should not have to choose between their religious beliefs and their economic livelihood," said Loretta King, acting assistant attorney general for the civil rights division.
A spokesman for Essex County declined to comment, citing a policy against discussing pending litigation.
Attempts to contact Beshier were unsuccessful. According to property records, she is 44 and lives in East Orange.
The suit accuses Essex County of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discriminating against employees based on race, color, sex, national origin and religion. The religious discrimination provisions require employers to reasonably accommodate workers' religious observances and practices.
The Essex County Department of Corrections initially suspended Beshier for wearing her head scarf, or khimar, according to the suit. She asked officials to make an exception to the uniform policy, saying her religion required her to wear it, according to the suit.
But the county refused, and eventually Beshier was fired, according to the suit. The lawsuit does not specify when Beshier was hired or fired.
"Federal law requires all employers, even those having policies regarding the wearing of uniforms, to reasonably accommodate the religious observances and practices of their employees," King said.
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Read Comments (19) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 08, 2009 at 08:21 PM Anonymous Says:
She should fight this in court and the jewish legal organizations should file an amicus in support of her appeals. If they can fire her for this, a yarmulke is next.
2
Jun 08, 2009 at 08:17 PM Milhouse Says:
Khimar is not a head scarf! In general I'm all in favour of these lawsuits, to make government bodies reasonably accommodate religious costume, but this seems to go way beyond that. It's not just a minor variation on a uniform; it negates the uniform altogether. I also wonder whether they were concerned that a prisoner could grab the khimar and try to escape wearing it!
3
Jun 08, 2009 at 08:16 PM Anonymous Says:
I hope we get the entire story. It is hard to believe that someone will get fired for not removing a head covering. The legal precedents can fill volumes. So either something else going on or her supervisor is a moron.
In any case, the Agudah will take on the case and win.
4
Jun 08, 2009 at 08:36 PM Anonymous Says:
I definitely hope that the VIN readership is behind Ms. Beshier here. Small accommodations for religion is vital for yidden.
5
Jun 08, 2009 at 08:35 PM i know what it's like Says:
scary stuff. i hope she gets compensation and/or her job back. i hope employers will think twice before doing this. i was once fired because of my tichel (i am sefardi-by-marriage, and our rav holds like rav ovadia yosef that sheitls are assur) and unfortunately i did not win, because it was a he said-she said thing. b'h i found a different job, but i am still angry that my former employer was not punished. we may not like muslims, but this we have in common with them, and we should be on their side for this, because our tichels are in danger too.
6
Jun 08, 2009 at 09:16 PM Milhouse Says:
“ I definitely hope that the VIN readership is behind Ms. Beshier here. Small accommodations for religion is vital for yidden. ”
This is not a small accommodation.
7
Jun 08, 2009 at 09:53 PM Babishka Says:
Khimar is not a tichel! It is a full body garment. No way should a corrections officer be allowed to wear such a thing, unless she is in a women's prison in Iran.
8
Jun 08, 2009 at 10:39 PM Anonymous Says:
Milhouse and Babishka should definitely get married,they're compatible in every racist nonsensical view known to VIN commenters.......
9
Jun 09, 2009 at 12:46 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Milhouse and Babishka should definitely get married,they're compatible in every racist nonsensical view known to VIN commenters....... ”
You never know!
10
Jun 08, 2009 at 11:01 PM Milhouse Says:
“ Milhouse and Babishka should definitely get married,they're compatible in every racist nonsensical view known to VIN commenters....... ”
So now it's racist to know what a khimar is?! That's about the most absurd definition of racism I've ever heard. Please explain exactly what is racist about either of our comments, you coward.
11
Jun 09, 2009 at 06:42 AM Avrohom Abba Says:
The Moslems have enough money.Let them pay for their own lawsuit. The Agudah will immediately think that the yarmulka is next, but the what she did is tocover her entire head and shoulders and arms. Also, I just looked up "khimar" and it comes in different lengths from down to the waist to mid thigh to knee length to ankle length. This is a whole new issue and the Agudah does not have to overdo this.
12
Jun 09, 2009 at 07:04 AM Anonymous Says:
Why didn't she ask her Imam for a heter? Doesn't she know we are in golus? Its a hillul hashem for her to wear this. Even ask Tendler.
Its ironic that the same commenters who want the Agudah to bring a lawsuit on her behalf are the same who scream "chillul hashem" and " this is golus how dear you" when a yid tries to protect his rights to wear yarmulka or keep a beard.
13
Jun 09, 2009 at 07:05 AM Anonymous Says:
Why didn't she ask her Imam for a heter? Doesn't she know we are in golus? Its a hillul hashem for her to wear this. Even ask Tendler.
Its ironic that the same commenters who want the Agudah to bring a lawsuit on her behalf are the same who scream "chillul hashem" and " this is golus how dear you" when a yid tries to protect his rights to wear yarmulka or keep a beard.
14
Jun 09, 2009 at 09:16 AM Anonymous Says:
“ So now it's racist to know what a khimar is?! That's about the most absurd definition of racism I've ever heard. Please explain exactly what is racist about either of our comments, you coward. ”
what's a coward mr millhouse? do u need an anger managmengt course perhaps?
15
Jun 09, 2009 at 05:09 PM Milhouse Says:
“ what's a coward mr millhouse? do u need an anger managmengt course perhaps? ”
A coward is someone who posts anonymously. An ignoramus is someone who can't spell. You are both.
16
Jun 09, 2009 at 05:11 PM Raphael Kaufman Says:
“ So now it's racist to know what a khimar is?! That's about the most absurd definition of racism I've ever heard. Please explain exactly what is racist about either of our comments, you coward. ”
What was cowardly about this guy's post. Silly, perhaps, but not cowardly. Well, he did post anonymously. Is a khimar the head scarf or the thing that goes over her face? If it's just the typical Moslem headscarf which leaves her face exposed, I don't see that as a major compromise of the uniform.
17
Jun 10, 2009 at 06:16 AM Anonymous Says:
“ She should fight this in court and the jewish legal organizations should file an amicus in support of her appeals. If they can fire her for this, a yarmulke is next. ”
I wanted to wear a talis and a steriemel when I was a judge in court
18
Jun 10, 2009 at 12:17 PM Anonymous Says:
“ She should fight this in court and the jewish legal organizations should file an amicus in support of her appeals. If they can fire her for this, a yarmulke is next. ”
No, your wrong. A yarmekah is a small flat thing on your head. You can still wear a police hat on top vs. This is totally wrong it violates their uniform, with this you can't put on a hat. I was thinking the same then you, but its different
19
Jun 10, 2009 at 04:26 PM Milhouse Says:
“ I wanted to wear a talis and a steriemel when I was a judge in court ”
A talles is exactly the right analogy for a khimar. A yid has every right to insist on wearing a talles koton under his uniform, and the agency would be wrong to prevent it; but if some yid were to insist on going to work wearing a full-length talles godol and tefillin, we would all agree it was ridiculous. State agencies must make REASONABLE accommodations for religious garb; a yarmulke or tichel or turban is reasonable, but this is not.