Should employers be able to discriminate against disabled employees?

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A woman is suing US clothing chain Abercrombie and Fitch, for allegedly discriminating against her whilst she was an employee because of her prosthetic arm.

Riam Dean, 22, was employed by the clothing giant's London Saville Row store, but claims that bosses moved her from the shop floor to the stock room as her prosthetic limb did not fit in with the brand's all-American image. Abercrombie and Fitch has a strict 'Look Policy' that covers everything from hairstyle to the length of employees fingernails.

Miss Dean was born with her left forearm missing, and has worn a prosthetic limb since she was a baby. She claims that she was given permission to wear a white cardigan to cover her prosthesis after getting the job, but she was told after a few days that she was breaking the look policy and would have to work in the stockroom until the winter uniform arrived.

In the UK, the Disability Discrimination Act states it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against disabled people for a reason related to their disability, in all aspects of employment, unless this can be justified. Justification is only possible in certain circumstances.

What do you think? Do employers have the right to dictate how employees look, even if that covers disabilities?

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