A trial began last week in a Japanese courtroom, where a 36-year-old Japanese woman alleges she was fired from Prada Japan because she was not attractive enough.  Plaintiff Rina Bovrisse’s legal complaint against Prada Japan states Prada Japan’s CEO asked her to get rid of shop managers and assistant managers who called her “aged, ugly, fat, bad body shape, bad teeth, disgusting, and not cute.”   After she refused to do so, Prada Japan’s human resources manager gave most of those managers transfer orders that amounted to demotions.  Bovrisse’s lawyers said Prada offered Bovrisse around $107,000 in severance but she turned it down to fight for a public and pay compensation for emotional distress.  Article

New York is an “at will” employee State, meaning an employer can keep its employees for however long he wants but may fire them for any reason or for no reason at all, so long as it is not an unlawful or discriminatory reason.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.  So, can a New York employer fire a woman for being too ugly?  Technically yes, because ugly is not protected under Title VII.  However, it is best to consult with an experienced employment attorney to ensure there is no basis for a discrimination claim.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC is a nationally recognized leader in the area of employment law.  Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area.  For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.