Deputy’s Suit Over Wearing Sunni Head Garb to Work May Proceed

A Florida deputy, who was denied permission to wear a kufi at work and then fired after filing an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint, may proceed with his religious discrimination suit against his former employer, a federal court said.

Jeremy Ellis claimed a Hillsborough County, Fla., sheriff’s office’s policy only accounted for medical exemptions and not religious exemptions, and that its requirement that he frequently renew his religious exemption was discriminatory. Ellis alleged he was discriminated against due to his religion; denied a religious accommodation; retaliated against for requesting a religious accommodation; and retaliated against for filing complaints with the ...