It sounds like the Richmond, VA based convenient store chain Fas Mart responded quickly and appropriately to an unfortunate and unacceptable instance of religious discrimination in one of its Fredericksburg, VA stores. In response to a complaint of a Muslim woman who was denied service because of her headscarf (which she wore for religious reasons) the company has suspended the employee who denied the service, issued a personal apology by the store manager to the woman and said it was investigating the incident and said it regretted the incident.
The Muslim woman apparently is not satisfied and is considering a lawsuit against the company. Unless there's more to this story I can't see what merit such a suit has given the response of the company.
Beyond the legal issues - whether there is a basis for bringing suit or not - there is the question of whether a lawsuit in this case is helpful to the cause of Muslims. I don't think it is, because this company seemed to respond quickly and reasonably in redressing the actions of one of its employees. This is what we as Muslims want. Mistakes happen. Sometimes employees may even act maliciously. But if the company responds and tries to make reasonable and appropriate amends, then slapping them with a lawsuit seems excessive.
Furthermore, it sends the wrong message. If Muslims feel compelled to file suit even when such companies try to correct the mistakes they or their employees made, then it may become a disincentive to act proactively in the future. And given the costs and time involved in litigation, it is better to quickly resolve discrimination cases.
So, unless there is more to this case, I think a law suit against Fas Mart will be unproductive.
Recent Comments