A Bronx check-cashing firm refused to hire a Muslim woman because she wore a headscarf to a job interview, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
Fatima Sidib says she applied to work as a customer service rep at Checks Cashed at East 161st Street and Gerard Avenue in August, according to the Manhattan federal court suit.
The shop manager invited her in for an interview over the phone — but immediately got “hostile” when she arrived wearing the religious headwear, court papers state.
“Are you going to be wearing that thing?” the manager said, according to the lawsuit. “Because you will not be able to work with that on. Or will that be a problem for you?”
When Sidib said she wears the scarf sometimes when she fasts, the manager shot back that that meant she wouldn’t be available to work some of the needed shifts, court papers state.
The manager handed Sidib her job application back — and told to return when she was “more flexible,” according to the lawsuit.
“Defendant refused to hire Plaintiff solely on the basis of her religion,” the lawsuit states. "[Sidib] felt offended, disturbed, and humiliated by [the] discriminatory refusal to hire her.”
Sidib suffered “loss of income,” according to the lawsuit, which doesn’t note how much money Sidib is seeking.
A rep for Checks Cashed didn’t return a request for comment immediately Tuesday.