Legal Question in Discrimination Law in Maryland

Pre-employment discrimination based on attire

In response to an ad on an employment ListServ, I sent a coverletter and resume to a Maryland-based Foundation.The Foundation, which is part of a major corporation, focuses on people with disabilities. I was called in for an interview. The person interviewing me brought me in to her office, asked me if I had any questions, and then told me that she likes to ''give feedback''. She went on to tell me that while my attire was acceptable, the fact that I was wearing sandals was not. The sandals, she said, were a red flag - an indicator that I would not fit in. She then told me that she would not interview me and dismissed me. I was not given a chance to even explain my job qualifications. It was an incredibly humiliating and degrading experience, and I feel like it speaks of discrimination on a deeper level.

Do I have any grounds to take legal action?


Asked on 8/21/01, 3:36 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
G. Joseph Holthaus III Law Offices of G. Joseph Holthaus

Re: Pre-employment discrimination based on attire

Not to belittle your issue but you have

virtually no basis for a discriminatory action.

Most discrimination laws are based on the proponent that

there is some indelible characteristic of one's outward

appearance. Wearing sandles is a choice and is not indelible.

Now there is another aspect of discrimination law which makes it

illegal to disfavor employment based on religious conviction. Did you

wear sandles due to your religious beliefs?

I would not pursue the action.

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Answered on 8/30/01, 2:51 pm


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