Student Wins Disability Discrimination Claim

A 22-year-old law student with a prosthetic arm has won a claim against clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for unfair treatment relating to her disability.

Riam Dean applied for a job as a shop assistant at the company’s Savile Row branch. The company operates a strict “look” policy which stipulates what uniform should be worn and how long hair and nails should be. As the uniform at the time was a polo shirt and jeans, Dean was fitted for this and it was agreed that she could wear a cardigan to cover the link between her arm and the prosthesis. She was then later told to leave the shop floor and work in the stock room for not complying with the company’s strict “look” policy due to wearing the cardigan.

Dean has been awarded compensation which included £7,800 for injury to feelings under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Nick Barnett

Published on 09/09/2009