Muslim woman sues Abercrombie & Fitch for not giving her job due to headscarf

A Muslim woman has sued popular fashion retailers, Abercrombie & Fitch for denying her a sales job when she was a teen because of her headscarf popularly called hijab.

Samantha Elauf who was represented by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - federal government agency, is suing on the grounds she was discriminated against because of the company's dress code.

Report says the clothing company is known for populating its stores with bare-chested male models and female staff in somewhat racy attire.

Its salespeople are required to conform to "Abercrombie style", defined as a "classic East Coast collegiate style".

The company does not allow employees to wear "caps" of any kind or the colour black, but scarves are not explicitly forbidden.

Any departure from the dress code is regarded as grounds for disciplinary action, including dismissal, on the basis that it can negatively impact the company's image, brand and sales.

But during a one-hour long hearing at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, several justices appeared to be troubled by the case.

Attorneys arguing Ms Elauf's case say she is protected by the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bars anyone from being refused employment based on their religion, unless the employer cannot accommodate the person's religious beliefs without adversely affecting business.