Source: The Sikh Coalition
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/advisories/lexushiring.htm
A Sikh who was told to shave his facial hair or not be hired filed a charge of discrimination last week with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Gurpreet Singh (Kherha) applied for an automotive sales position with Tri-County Lexus in Little Falls, New Jersey this past February. After completing two days of preliminary training, a recruiter for Lexus told Gurpreet Singh that he would not be hired because Lexus has a corporate policy prohibiting facial hair for salespersons.
Two Days of Training and Interviews and Then a Rejection
In February, T.K. Worldwide, an automotive sales recruiting and training company, recruited Gurpreet to apply for a sales position at Tri-County Lexus. After completing two days of training at Lexus, Gurpreet participated in a group interview with other trainees.
After completion of the group interview, a recruiter for T.K. Worldwide approached Gurpreet and asked why he maintained a beard and asked if his beard is a religious requirement. Gurpreet explained that he is a practicing Sikh who does not cut his hair, including his facial hair. The recruiter then asked Gurpreet if he would be willing to remove his beard in order to obtain a job as a Tri-County Lexus sales representative. Gurpreet replied he would not.
The recruiter then left Gurpreet. Upon his return he informed Gurpreet he had not been selected for a sales position at Tri-County Lexus.