Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Kelly Services, Inc.

What happened: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Kelly Services, a staffing agency, over religious discrimination. The case involved Asthma Suliman, who wore a khimar (religious head covering) as part of her Muslim faith. Kelly Services refused to refer her for a job at Nahan Printing because the company had a dress code that didn't allow head coverings. Kelly said this was due to safety concerns at the workplace.

What the court decided: The Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Kelly Services. The court found that Kelly Services did not discriminate against Suliman. Instead, the court determined that the company's dress code restrictions were based on legitimate workplace safety reasons, not religious bias. The court granted summary judgment, meaning Kelly Services won without needing a full trial.

Why this matters for workers: This ruling shows that employers may be able to restrict religious clothing or symbols if they can prove genuine safety concerns exist. However, workers should know that employers must still try to find reasonable accommodations for religious practices when possible. If you face similar issues, document everything and consider whether the safety concerns are truly necessary or if alternatives could work.