Overview
- The Federal Labour Court in Erfurt on Jan. 29 upheld Hamburg rulings in a discrimination case, making the judgment final.
- The court found that a neutrality obligation does not automatically apply to private security staff conducting airport checks.
- Judges said not wearing a headscarf is not an essential job requirement for aviation security screening roles.
- The applicant, rejected after submitting a CV photo showing a headscarf, was awarded €3,500 in compensation, with evidence including an internal note saying no one with a religious headscarf would be hired.
- The decision indicates Bundespolizei guidance may require revision, as any general prohibition must come from the Federal Interior Ministry rather than the Federal Police.