Abercrombie & Fitch is under hot water again. This time, the American brand is being investigated by France's official human rights watchdogs over suspected discriminatory hiring practices. In other words, they're catching on that A&F may be only be hiring good looking people. The watchdogs believe the models (read: those hired to stand in front of the store shirtless) are also sales associates, and insists that physical appearance should not be included in employment policies.
“Though physical appearance may legitimately be a key and determining professional factor for models, that’s not so for sales staff,” Dominique Baudis, in charge of the watchdogs, said in a statement.
But in order to launch a lawsuit against A&F, the watchdogs will need someone who says they've experienced this discrimination themself. So, as of right now, Baudis and his team are continuting their search, which they plan to finish by the end of the year.
Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but would you really be surprised if France's officials found A&F was discriminating? The company has had plenty of "WTF" moments in the last few years.
We wonder what guys like Ashton Kutcher and Channing Tatum, both of whom modeled for the brand in a past life, think about all the controversy surrounding A&F.
[via The Business of Fashion]
