Swedish Court orders compensation for Muslim woman who avoided handshake at job interview

Sweden: Swedish Labour Court ordered a company to pay compensation to a 24-year-old Muslim woman. Compensation amount is 40, 000 Kronor ($4350).

According to the report published in BBC, Farah Alhajeh’s job interview at the company was ended after she avoided handshake.

It may be mentioned that she had applied for an interpreter job. At the interview, she avoided a handshake with a male interviewer. However, in order to greet him, she placed her hand over her heart.

Now, the Swedish labour court gave the verdict that the company had discriminated against her.

The company argued that its staff have to treat men and women equally and it is the requirement of the company.

In response, Office of discrimination Ombudsman, Sweden which represented Alhajeh said that she did not upset anyone by placing her hand over her heart while greeting.

In its judgment, Sweden’s labour court said that her decision to avoid handshake is protected under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Expressing her views over the judgment, Ms Alhajeh said that in her country no one can treat women and men different and that is the reason she avoids physical contact with both men and women thereby following both rules of the religion and the law of the country.