The European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Tuesday ruled that a workplace can ban the wearing of “any political, philosophical, or religious sign” which includes headscarves and doing so would not be viewed as discriminatory. However, it is stipulated that the ban must be based on company policy that requires employees to “dress neutrally”, the court ruled.

The case is the result of a receptionist in Belgium who was fired for wearing a headscarf. With the sharp increase in the Muslim population in European countries, the matter of a headscarf has become increasingly relevant.

Austria has also recently announced a ban on full face veils in public areas and the latest ruling is yet another case dealing with Muslim garb in the European workplace.

The BBC adds that in practice, the ruling would also apply to “skullcaps and turbans” in a setting that demands neutrality towards the public.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)