Eastern Greyhound Lines v. New York State Division of Human Rights

Complainant Abdullahi Ibrahim is an Orthodox Muslim. One of the requirements of his religion is he wear a beard. Applying to Eastern Division of Greyhound Lines, Inc. for employment as a baggage clerk, he was told by petitioner-respondent McCarter, who acted as a representative of the company, that men in this job must be clean-shaven. He apparently was otherwise satisfactory for employment. Complainant said his religion required him to wear the beard; the company official nevertheless repeated the general policy relating to clean-shaven appearance.

This policy is expressed in a company…