Disabled employee wins compensation

Posted 13/08/2009

Clothing firm Abercrombie and Fitch has been found guilty of breaching employment law in the case of a disabled member of staff.

Riam Dean was employed at one of the firms’ outlets in central London, but was made to work in the stockroom because her prosthetic arm meant she did not fit its policies on staff appearance.

The 22-year-old alleged that she was being discriminated against because of her disability and was forced to resign as a result.

While an employment tribunal rejected the claim for disability discrimination, Ms Dean was awarded over £9,000 in compensation for loss of earnings and hurt feelings.

Mark Borkowski, a brand and celebrity publicist, described the case as a “PR nightmare” for Abercrombie and Fitch.

“It is potentially very damaging to them,” he told the Telegraph.

“This is probably one of the biggest gaffes by a fashion retailer.”

Meanwhile, Unison has called on employers to make sure that jobs for disabled people are kept open during the economic downturn.

Gloria Foran, national disability policy officer at the group, said this is important because the job market for disabled people is “already tough enough”.