Only apply if you are good-looking
Fitch could hit the fan for clothing giant hit with new discrimination scandal
Clothing giant Abercrombie & Fitch has been accused of discrimination over its city recruitment drive requesting only "good-looking" employees.
The up-to-the-minute company, set to open its Hollister store in Midsummer Place, hit the headlines in August when it was criticised for discriminating against a disabled worker whose prosthetic arm was deemed unsavoury by the London store's "visual team".
Now a similar row is brewing in Milton Keynes, where a notice on the new shop site states: 'We are looking for cool, good-looking people.'
This, says Midsummer Place general manager Martin Hindson is against the centre's non-discriminatory and equal opportunity policies.
He is this week contacting Abercrombie & Fitch American bosses about the problem but admits he is powerless to dictate how individual stores conduct their advertising campaigns.
The company, which was ordered to pay 9,000 compensation to the disabled 22-year-old, has also employed recruitment scouts this month to tour the shopping centre and headhunt young and attractive people to fill vacancies.
One young girl, stopped while out shopping with her friends, said: "A man with an American accent told us about the new store opening and said they were looking for attractive, young, good-looking people for part-time jobs.
"Naturally, we were flattered. We all love Abercrombie & Fitch so we jumped at the idea of getting the opportunity for working at such a glamorous shop."
The girl agreed to return next week for an interview and – unusually – to have her photograph taken.
But her mother, when she found out, was appalled. She said: "This is clearly discriminatory. I'm surprised such a high-profile company such as Abercrombie & Fitch has adopted this policy.
"It's illegal and irresponsible, particularly in a climate where there is so much pressure on young girls to conform to an ideal style."
Abercrombie & Fitch manager Tom Goulet told the Citizen: "At this time we prefer not to comment."
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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