ST. LOUIS — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing after a Hollister Co. store worker was allegedly fired for refusing to wear pants or a skirt above the knee, something that she says violates her religious beliefs.
The EEOC filed suit Thursday on behalf of Lakettra Bennett, who formerly worked at the Hollister store at the St. Louis Galleria mall in Richmond Heights, Mo. The suit against J.M. Hollister, LLC and parent company Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. seeks back pay and damages.
Calls to the company were not returned.
Bennett is Pentecostal and says her religion does not permit her to wear pants or skirts if the hemline does not cover the knee.
The EEOC says the federal Civil Rights Act requires "reasonable accommodations" for religious beliefs.