European employers can ban workers from wearing any visible sign of their political, philosophical or religious beliefs, the EU's top court ruled on T

Employers can ban workers from wearing headscarves or religious symbols, ECJ rules

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2021-07-15 09:00:07

European employers can ban workers from wearing any visible sign of their political, philosophical or religious beliefs, the EU's top court ruled on Thursday.

The ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) states that the ban "may be justified by the employer's need to present itself in a neutral manner to customers or to prevent social conflicts."

It stresses, however, that it must also "meet a genuine need on the part of the employer" and that court in individual member states may take into account "the specific context" in their country, "and, in particular, more favourable national provisions concerning the protection of freedom of religion."

It confirms a similar ruling made in 2017 that allowed employers to enforce a "neutral" dress code but critics say it will disproportionately affect Muslim women.

The latest case was brought forward by two German female workers, a special education teacher and a cashier, who were asked by their employers not to wear Islamic headscarves while at work.