The appellant, a Sikh employee, was dismissed for refusing to wear a hard hat as required by a company safety rule, because his religion forbade wearing anything other than a turban.
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found the employer engaged in a discriminatory practice and ordered reinstatement.
The Federal Court of Appeal set aside that decision.
The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that the hard hat rule was a bona fide occupational requirement under s. 14(a) of the Canadian Human Rights Act.
The Court found that where a bona fide occupational requirement is established, there is no duty to accommodate the individual employee.
