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Hairdresser sued in row about headscarf
Martin Bentham and Anna Davis08.11.07
The owner of an "alternative" London hair salon is being sued for religious discrimination after refusing to give a job to a Muslim woman who wanted to wear a headscarf at work.
Sarah Desrosiers, whose Wedge salon specialises in "urban funky" cuts, says she turned down applicant Bushra Noah because she was "selling image" and needed her staff to display their hairstyles to the public.
Ms Noah, 19, is claiming religious discriminat ion and suing Ms Desrosiers for more than £15,000 for injury to her feelings, as well as an unspecified sum for lost earnings.
Ms Desrosiers, 32, who set up her business in King's Cross 18 months ago, has already spent more than £1,000 fighting the case and says that if she loses she will be forced to close.
She denies any discrimination and says she rejected Ms Noah because she was unwilling to show her hair at work.
"I sell image - it's very important - and I would expect a hair stylist to display her hair because I need people to be drawn in off the street," said Ms Desrosiers. "It's the nature and style of my salon that brings people in and someone having their hair covered conflicts with that. If someone came in wearing a baseball hat or a cowboy hat I'd tell them to take it off while they're working. To me, it's absolutely basic that people should be able to see the stylist's hair."
In a legal letter setting out her employment tribunal case, Ms Noah, from Acton, claims she was discriminated against and treated rudely at her interview in March and wrongly turned down for a job she was capable of doing because of her headscarf.
Ms Noah said today she had attended a total of 25 interviews for hairdressing jobs without success and had decided to take legal action because she had been upset by Ms Desrosiers' comments. She said: "I decided to sue this hairdresser because she upset me the most. I felt so down and got so depressed, I thought if I am not going to defend myself, who is?
"When I spoke to her on the phone she offered me a trial day. But when I turned up she looked at me in shock. She asked if I wore the headscarf all the time. She kept repeating, 'I wish you told me over the phone'.
"Ever since I was in high school hairdressing is what I wanted to do. It is sad for them to not give me the opportunity. This has ruined my ambitions. Wearing a headscarf is essential to my beliefs."
Ms Desrosiers said she was struggling to find money to contest the hearing, scheduled for January. She said: "I'm being dragged through the mud and pretty much accused of being a racist. I feel it is totally unfair and wrong."
COVERING UP - CASES IN THE HEADLINES
* Teaching assistant Aishah Azmi was dismissed from a Church of England primary school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, after refusing to remove her niqab in lessons led by a male teacher. Mrs Azmi, 24, said it was her Islamic duty to wear the veil in the presence of adult males who were not blood relatives.
* Shabina Begum, 16, claimed a "victory for all Muslims" in a landmark Court of Appeal ruling that Denbigh High School in Luton had unlawfully excluded her for flouting its uniform policy. Miss Begum lost almost two years' education before being accepted to another school which allowed her to wear the jilbab.
* Accounts manager Aneela Farani, 40, told an employment tribunal that she was repeatedly dismissed as a terrorist in the wake of the attacks on London in 2005. She said colleagues at Confidential Shredding Services, based at Old Trafford, made jokes about her headscarf which humiliated her.
* Sophia Moussaoui, 29, a divorce lawyer, was sacked by the Church of England's solicitors because her religious clothing was an embarrassment to the firm. Ms Moussaoui lost her job after Radcliffes, based in Westminster, merged with Jay Benning & Peltz, where she qualified.
Reader views (50)
I'm sure you're all aware now that Ms Noah was awarded £4,000 for hurt feelings. I'm lost for words. LUNACY!
- Luke Shaw, Birmingham, UK
The reason Bushra was turned down by 25 hairdressers was probably because of the fact that she was wearing a headscarf, not because she was unqualified as most people seem to think. I totally agree with Bushra here, if she's right for the job, why should her image matter? And anyway, the hairdresser I go to has hair hair in braids all the time but she does a fantastic job in cutting hair. This hairdresser was recommended to me by a friend of mine after seeing the way her hair was cut, and I decided I would go to her even before I saw her hair!
- Charlotte Johnson, London
This is sickening. If a girl gets rejected for being a model because she wasn't good looking enough does she have the right to sue? If someone is not able to promote the interests of their employer should they get the job? The answer is NO.
- Mike Wong, Birmingham
Frankly they are both morons.
Bushra is clearly just trying to make a quick buck and grab a couple of headlines by suing.
Sarah is a fool for telling her that in the first place, why not just make something up like "you're over qualified". That's what most sane people who are aware of the "politically correct" society we live in today would do.
- Dave, Reading, UK
If Mrs.Noah is so religious, why is she wearing trousers, the dress of the opposite sex? Also, why didn't she apply for a job in a Muslim-run hairdressers?
- Deborah, London
Let's support Sarah Desrosiers by taking our custom to her salon, Wedge, in Kings Cross.
- Pamela Savery, LONDON
I am totally on the side of the hairdresser. I think that she has the right to state that there is a dress code and that this was part of the job. If this person cannot leave her religion at home then that is her problem.
- Rob Heddon, worthing
I think that Sarah has a point and from the article it seems that Ms Noah is suing Sarah because of the offence caused by others to her!
Go Sarah!
- Estelle, London
Ms Desrosiers misses the point by comparing a cowboy hat to the hijab. The hijab is not an arbitrary fashion statement. The law should and must protect individuals like Ms Noah from being penalized because of who they are. Denying employment to any person on the basis of their religion or culture is unacceptable and amounts to discrimination.
- Stephanie Hobbs, Toronto, Canada
We should have a whip-round to help Ms Desrosiers with her legal fees so that she can fight this nonsensical claim.
- William Chong, London
I think it is waste of taxpayers' money and, anyway, it shows that this politically correct system is a joke by itself, not only this particular case or other similar cases. It seems in today's Britain anyone can sue for everything. Or almost.
- Bogdan Holban, Manchester
How totally outrageous! I think Bushra Noah is a perfect example of how this country is going down and how leniant the pathetic government are. I just hope that the people who run this country won't shut Sarah's salon down on the basis that they are soft!
- Keely Sipton, London
Why would anyone be surprised and where did the figure of £15,000 come from, £1,000 for every minute she was reportedly upset?
- Stephen, Maidenhead
We should totally support Sarah Desrosiers. She is absolutely entitled to employ suitable staff and not be used in this way as whipping boy for the misguided claim by the young woman. Ask any woman as I have done whether they would want their hair done by someone with their own hair covered- the answer universally is NO. This type of claim for discrimination is wrong and the proverbial thin end of the wedge.
- Richard Philo, London, England
So a young girl who has been turned down by 24 other hairdressing salon is feeling a bit miffed. So, she's probably going to close down a salon that clearly Ms Desrosiers has worked hard to build up. Anyone surprised. This is Britain in 2007! Come on, we all know Ms Noah will win her case, she's been religiously discriminated against and all that Ms Desrosiers has done is voiced what we'd all feel faced with a hairdresser with her hair covered - what sort of mistake did she make? No way would I have my hair cut by a hairdresser who covered her/his head - if he can't show me his/her hair then no way am I going to allow him to cut mine. But, Ms Noah's feelings have been hurt and therefore I'm sure she'll be awarded her £15,000 because no one will be brave enough to say 'enough'. Ah well, God help the next prospective employers Ms Noah visits - I'd just give her a cheque on arrival, it would be easier!
- Sue Defries, London NW3
As a hair stylist myself, I know that it is essential to show your hair. Clients get ideas from employees' hairstyles, and are also assured that they will receive an excellent and qualified service by seeing the employees' styles.
- Rebecca, UK
This the British notion of "fair play" taken a bit too far. Sarah Desrosiers business image is made up of what customers see,i.e. the hairstyles that those very hairdressers are sporting. I think that this young woman has spotted a buisnesss opportunity. After all if she insists on covering her hair to all strangers why not choose a profession where 'hairstyle' is not an issue? When are we going to stop passing repressive legislation which hands those with dubious agendas a stick to beat us with and laugh all the way to the bank? Are our courts really this blinkered?
- David, London
Another case of presenting oneself as a victim just were common sense applies. It is up to an employer to decide whether a person is suitable for a job and this was a clear case where the applicant was not for whatever reason. Why would she want to help other women to make theit hair attractive and exposed - such a double standard! If I am a Christian who would be refused to work as a chef in a Halal restaurant would I sue the owner? I would like to see someone try.
- Nadya Levine, London
I totally support the salon owner who should be allowed to employ whoever she chooses to reflect the image of the workplace.
- Rosie Bloom, London
This is so unfair to Ms. Desrosiers and such a stupid case. It is so obviously unsuitable for a hairdresser to be wearing a headscarf in such a trendy hairdressers.
Is Ms Noah truly interested in hair?
If Sarah Desrosiers loses her business over this, it is criminally unjust. We should be fighting real cases of racism, not ridiculous ones.
- Connie, Hillingdon
Can we assume that she is unemployed and, that she has obtained legal aid. To persecute someone who is struggling to make an honest living, and, provide gainful employment for others is an absolute disgrace! Again I would ask the question was legal aid provided to persue this case, if so, heads should role!
- Kevin Sullivan, London
Anyone with any sense would support the hairdresser in this. It doesn't mean you are racist to refuse employment to someone. We have all been turned down for employment sometimes in our lives! I have Asian friends who are lovely people, but they agree that this is a non-case and should be thrown out of court. However with our ever increasingly political correct country, this misguided woman could very well win her case - that's how crazy our laws have become!
- Wooram, Alicante, Spain
I totally support the salon owner. Has the world gone mad? This woman has no right to sue. I wouldn't want her to cut my hair, if I can't see hers. She is just pushing her luck, trying to see how far she can go, because there are these politically correct fanatics that would support her. My advice to her is change her profession. She is trying to get money out of it. Wake up.
- Brenda, London
Surely this Noah person can't be for real. Sarah Desrosiers is absolutely right to refuse her a job as a hairdresser.
- Norman Churcher, Hastings, East Sussex
"I decided to sue this hairdresser because she upset me the most." This is not an example of a reasonable response to a single situation, but Bushra is responding to her frustration at an accumalation of events. She has singled out the Sarah Desrosiers by little more than random selection and is choosing to vent her frustrations, not her religious beliefs.
- Polly Wales, London
I think its about normal common sense. This girl is a small business owner who has angled her Hairdressing business at a niche market - actually at the top end of London cool. To be accepted in this area you have to walk the walk as far as dress sense and hair style are concerned - the job applicant is not remoteley dressed or presented anywhere near that and would be turned down in any cool London boutique for not having a clue about dress sense - headscarf or not. If I was looking at a girl who had some cool clothes on and a couple of tattoos with a really cool headscarf I would understand but I'm not, I'm looking at someone who plainly does not fit into that arena - so stop making a fuss and let people get on with their business as it's hard enough out there without this nonsense to deal with.
- Richie, London
Total madness! I wonder which came first, the legal advice or the interview...think about it! Why on earth would she apply to a 'funky' hairdressers for a job? And 25 failed interviews...come on....let's get real.
- Gerry, London
I dont care if she is qualified, when you want a job as a cocktail waitress, logic dictates that you do not wear an overcoat. Same logic applies here. Has absolutely nothing to do with religeon,or racism.
After she had 25 job interviews she must have gotten the message, but no she had to sue to try to get it her way.
Hopefully the salon owner will be proven right. From now on certain job applicants will have to show a university degree to be considered for jobs of hairdresser level.
Maybe that will stop crazy law suits.
- J Case, L.A U S A
Why would a young woman who does not show her own hair want to be a hairdresser - especially in a funky salon? Why would she want to touch other peoples' hair? She does not show her hair because she feels it is immodest. So why would she want to make other women look immodest? This is totally illogical. Or is it... The compensation industry is alive and well and all at the expense of this hairdresser and the taxpayer.
- Jan, London,England
Personally I feel this situation is a joke. I work for a retail company, and if I turned up to work without their brand on I would be sent home, Sarah Desrosiers need's her staff to promote her hair styles and to draw clients in.
- Grace, London
Noah should take note of the adage, "when in Rome....."
- Roger 1, London, UK
I too am muslim and uphold the values. However, I do not agree with Ms Noah. I really do believe that she is trying to extort easy money for her lack of motivation to work. When I go to a hair salon, I look at the hair styles worn by the hair dressers. So, being able to carry off your hair style and show your talent is an important part of the business.
I don't think there is any discrimination here at all. Ms. Noah is just being greedy and trying to use her religion to make money.
She needs to get a life and make money of her own, instead of trying to get other people's money
- Waheeda Sheikh, Pakistan
I wouldn’t want my funky hair cut by someone so patently not funky. Never mind she is a Muslim that is irrelevant, she is simply not cool enough to have that job. It’s a cynical attempt to extort money.
- Apostatetim, manchester
This case is a joke. If you aren't prepared to fit the image of a salon, for whatever reason, then you aren't going to get work there. It's so simple that even a fantasy worshipper should be able to grasp it.
Somebody dial whine-9-9. Bushra doesn't need a lawyer, she needs a Whaaaaa-mbulance.
- Luke, St.Austell, UK
I am a priest and wear a collar. However, in visiting people or entering a business or home or situation where wearing the collar is not appropriate for any reason, then I should simply remove it. If I regard my way of dressing or uniform as some integral part of my real self, then I am trapped in narrow cultural or religious worldview.
- Neil Hannigan, London UK
i think it is outrageous that bushra noah was refused a job, if the qualifications are there, what difference does it make that her head is covered. Good Luck to Ms.Noah.
- Lewis Martin, london
Most clients want to see their hairdressers hair. It gives an insight into what they can do for you. I personally would not want a funky cut but that is fine. This is just an excuse for not being employable and a way of extorting money for nothing. Ms Noah needs to get a life and job she can do. Why does sho not set up her own business for Muslims? Then she can do what she likes.
- Mary Breading, Hornchurch, Essex
Hair dressers show their hair, it's kind of free advertising, they always have whacky hair. So i totally understand where the salon owner is coming from. I think to sue in the first place is wrong, there are no grounds, and to sue for loss of earnings... hold on, she wasn't working there! What earnings? Ms Noah, you have had 25 interviews and didn't get any of the jobs, wake up! If you complied with the work dress code in that industry maybe you would have better luck.
Ms Noah's head dress is not mandatory, she could not wear it at work! But she chooses to wear it and the salon owner chooses to employ poeple that fit the image of her salon.
CASE CLOSED!
- Lee Brown, London
She applied for a job interview, was given the interview, she made it a condition that she'd be allowed to wear the wrong clothes for the job, didn't get the job. Whoever allowed this case to waste taxpayers' money has a case to answer, not the hairdresser.
- Bill Lagos, London UK
I am in full support of the hairdresser and I hope she does not lose her business as a result of this ridiculous legal action. This case should never even reach a court.
I certainly would not want someone doing my hair with their own hair covered by a scarf. It is about image, which is what the hairdresser rightly says she is selling.
- Karen, London
I think it is ridiculous to sue the salon owner for wanting to project the image/brand of her salon. Well, we live in a society where being 'politically correct' is written all over the place. I hope the court throws the case away and asks Ms Noah to pay Ms Derosiers' legal costs. In the end, Ms Desrosiers is the winner because it is good publicity for her salon.
- Julius Nuga, Abbots Langley UK
I just cannot understand this. If I couldn't swim and I applied for the job of a lifeguard and got refused could I sue for discrimination against non swimmers? No it wouldn't be discrimination but the simple fact that I was unsuitable for the job.
- Laila Matura, LONDON UK
Sarah de Rosiers is right. It is her business and image is essential. No to religious bigots. I expect the court to rule in her favour. Were all rooting for you Sarah 
- Af, London
Myself and my family totally understad Sarahs point of view, and Ms Noah is totally wrong. It's just an excuse to claim money of just make an non-existant fuss.
- Asef Hadi, london
Would Ms Desrosiers give a job to a bald male hairstylist?
- Bachuli, Orpington, Kent
"Wearing a headscarf is essential to my beliefs." I suppose the operative word in this statement is 'MY' I hope Ms Desrosiers has the courage to counter sue this women for racial harrasment as she states it is her beliefs not anybody elses, and she should understand that her beliefs have no right to be used in a law court against anybody who does not take that same point of view.
- Chris, London
I am in total support of the employer. She has the right to employ who she wants and who is suitable for her need, after all she is paying the wages. I would not want my hair done by someone whose hairstyle I cannot see. This is absolutely unacceptable.
- Elizabeth Schenk, london
I completely support the hairdresser, this is not racism but common sense. Bushra Noah should apply for a job at a hairdressers that all staff wear headscarfs if this is the image she wishes to project. She should not be allowed to sue this hairdresser.
- Valerie Tilleke, london
Being turned down 25 times for jobs says something about the applicant, doesn't it? Why did the other 24 interviewers reject Miss Noah, one wonders?
- Miss Jones, London
This is ridiculous. I can't belive this woman is sueing someone and willing to shut them down over "hurt feelings". And surely after 25 interviews and no success she needs to rethink her ambition? Why not start her own business cutting hair for muslim women?
This girl is actually fuelling rascism with her actions, as this is the kind of ludicrous thing that makes people angry, as it looks like she is just looking for money and revenge. But while she is at it, why not sue all 25 hairdressers.
So Sarah de Rosiers perhaps did not have time to mollycoddle her feelings, get over it, London is a fast moving tough place, and if you cant take the heat get out of the kitchen, or salon as the case may be...
- Sarah Duddy, London
