Planet Fitness kicks out Muslim woman for wearing head scarf

trojan_bb

oops. Planet Fitness kicked out another gym goer...and this newest case of discrimination in the "Judgement Free" zone isn't quite legal.

It's all fun and games when you kick out people for being too hot and too strong...but religious discrimination, tsk tsk.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/planet-fitness-kicked-muslim-woman-wearing-headscarf-lawsuit-article-1.1730411

eric_sg61

PF dun goofed

TitanGM

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

BigVeggieDream

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?

krawhitham

Oohh lucky her! Her bank account is about to get a little bigger!

Planet Fitness sounds like a completely ridiculous place. I will never go there.

Rocbola

That place is really lame. I used to work out there with a friend who was a member. It really is a lame gym, and they have stupid rules on top of it. The only thing they got is good prices. Not worth it.

rduhlir

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except for the fact that it says specifically in their coorporate rules that no person can be turned away due to religious beliefs, which means the allowing of a hijab. She will win that lawsuit.

TitanGM

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?

Normally she shouldn't have been accepted at any location (Staff problem alert)
I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

trojan_bb

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?

Normally she shouldn't have been accepted at any location (Staff problem alert)
I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

I agree with you...but the bill of rights trumps contract law. Even if both parties agreed to a dress code which bans any/all religious clothing...a lawsuit can still be filed and won if access is denied due to religious reasons. In this case, supposedly she replied to the employee and said "I am muslim". Can't turn her away after that.

BigVeggieDream

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?

Normally she shouldn't have been accepted at any location (Staff problem alert)
I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

Perhaps, but in addition, I don't think they can turn someone away for religious reasons. They probably would have no problem with me wearing a crucifix.

AllonsYtotheTardis

I didn't realize we had Planet Fitness locations in Quebec.

tedrickp

Just last week they had problem with a woman wearing too little. Now a woman is wearing too much. **** or get off the pot Planet Fitness.

DavPul

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

fine. and if you follow "my standards" you won't be judged either. well, not by me, at least. oh, wait, that's quite how "no judgement" is supposed to work, is it?

TitanGM

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

fine. and if you follow "my standards" you won't be judged either. well, not by me, at least. oh, wait, that's quite how "no judgement" is supposed to work, is it?

Well that's how a business works doesn't it? At a previous job none of us workers were allowed to use internet for any purpose other than work related. If I were to brake that simple rule I'd be "judged" wouldn't I?

summertime_girl

I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

They would have kicked you out for a headband? That's assinine. What's the rationale for that?

SapiensPisces

This is pretty ridiculous. According to the article, the company is claiming the employee wasn't aware of her religious affiliation, which seems to be a bit silly to be honest, and that they have exceptions in the rules about headwear for religious purposes.

TitanGM

I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

They would have kicked you out for a headband? That's assinine. What's the rationale for that?

Yeah that's one of the rules they have apparently.. No headbands, caps, or any kind of fashion that would make you stick out from the crowd, etc... Stupid in my opinion I must say, but unfortunately I had/have to comply with them since the next nearest gym is more than 1hr far from my home.

rduhlir

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?

Normally she shouldn't have been accepted at any location (Staff problem alert)
I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

You serisously aren't comparing a common headband to a religious head dress. And normally she WOULD be accepted at EVERY location. It is in their COORPORATE BY-LAWS. They even quote it in the news article.

TitanGM

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?

Normally she shouldn't have been accepted at any location (Staff problem alert)
I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

You serisously aren't comparing a common headband to a religious head dress. And normally she WOULD be accepted at EVERY location. It is in their COORPORATE BY-LAWS. They even quote it in the news article.

Maybe I was wrong on that one. (Comparing)
But yeah it looks like their policy doesn't allow people to make others feel uncomfortable. As far as religion is involved I haven'd pried much further.

HedgeHugs

That's ridiculous. The article states that " McDaniel says she’s gone to another Planet Fitness in her area a number of times with her colorful head scarf on and never had a problem. " Then why are they booting her now?

mondriantree

I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

They would have kicked you out for a headband? That's assinine. What's the rationale for that?

Yeah that's one of the rules they have apparently.. No headbands, caps, or any kind of fashion that would make you stick out from the crowd, etc... Stupid in my opinion I must say, but unfortunately I had/have to comply with them since the next nearest gym is more than 1hr far from my home.

Anything that makes you stick out from the crowd? That sounds like a freaking cult.

Achrya

That's ridiculous. The article states that " McDaniel says she’s gone to another Planet Fitness in her area a number of times with her colorful head scarf on and never had a problem. " Then why are they booting her now?

Because arbitrary location by location crap where they have the leeway to make things up on the fly

RobertHButler

I think the dress code is for health and safety reasons; a scarf could get tangled in the equipment and strangle the person. Also bandannas are used for gang affiliation which would intimidate some people. It is the only gym I can afford, so I follow the rules and mind my own business. P.S. The scarves retain sweat and create a "stank"

rduhlir

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?

Normally she shouldn't have been accepted at any location (Staff problem alert)
I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

You serisously aren't comparing a common headband to a religious head dress. And normally she WOULD be accepted at EVERY location. It is in their COORPORATE BY-LAWS. They even quote it in the news article.

Maybe I was wrong on that one. (Comparing)
But yeah it looks like their policy doesn't allow people to make others feel uncomfortable. As far as religion is involved I haven'd pried much further.

That is their policy...except when it comes to religious attire. Articles of clothing that are part of one's religious beliefs and culture are allowed.

rduhlir

I think the dress code is for health and safety reasons; a scarf could get tangled in the equipment and strangle the person. Also bandannas are used for gang affiliation which would intimidate some people. It is the only gym I can afford, so I follow the rules and mind my own business. P.S. The scarves retain sweat and create a "stank"

And that is fine...but we are talking about a hijab here...not a common scarf.

KeithAngilly

erm..we are talking New Mexico here folks..nuff said

rduhlir

That's ridiculous. The article states that " McDaniel says she’s gone to another Planet Fitness in her area a number of times with her colorful head scarf on and never had a problem. " Then why are they booting her now?

Because arbitrary location by location crap where they have the leeway to make things up on the fly

Except for the fact that that location broke a coorporate rule and will result in the lady winning that lawsuit.

Achrya

I think the dress code is for health and safety reasons; a scarf could get tangled in the equipment and strangle the person. Also bandannas are used for gang affiliation which would intimidate some people. It is the only gym I can afford, so I follow the rules and mind my own business. P.S. The scarves retain sweat and create a "stank"

Then they probably shouldn't have allowed a Muslim woman who covers her hair because of her religion to sign up, huh?

aliencheesecake

It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?

Normally she shouldn't have been accepted at any location (Staff problem alert)
I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

I agree with you...but the bill of rights trumps contract law. Even if both parties agreed to a dress code which bans any/all religious clothing...a lawsuit can still be filed and won if access is denied due to religious reasons. In this case, supposedly she replied to the employee and said "I am muslim". Can't turn her away after that.

Is it a safety issue? I mean, are they worried the head scarf would get caught on equipment, etc, because that seems to be a concern that has merit. ANY loose fitted clothing could conceivably be banned I suppose... Just a thought.

Also, to the person who said she may have been wearing it when she signed up... SO what. I could sign up in go-go boots and wouldn't expect the staff to automatically assume I plan to wear them to work out....

TitanGM

I think the dress code is for health and safety reasons; a scarf could get tangled in the equipment and strangle the person. Also bandannas are used for gang affiliation which would intimidate some people. It is the only gym I can afford, so I follow the rules and mind my own business. P.S. The scarves retain sweat and create a "stank"

And that is fine...but we are talking about a hijab here...not a common scarf.

Who knows someone might give to the scarf a religious meaning :laugh:

RobertHButler

ONE OF US! ONE OF US!