Seven former cocktail servers have filed an employment lawsuit against an Atlantic City casino. The woman claim that they were fired from their jobs after casino owners and managers determined that their age and body types rendered them incompatible with the casino's image overhaul and the new server uniforms. However, the casino is defending its actions, stating that the servers were given, and refused, opportunities for employment in other areas of the casino.

According to the age and sex discrimination lawsuit, the women were fired following a photo shoot, in which they were forced to pose for photographs wearing the casino's new uniforms. The casino was in the process of rebranding its business, and was adopting a "roaring '20s" theme based on Prohibition-era Atlantic City, as portrayed in the hit HBO show "Boardwalk Empire".

The women claim that they were fired when they were deemed not young or attractive enough for the new skimpy costumes. However, the casino has stated that the women were not fired, but were simply reassigned. "We empathize with the cocktail servers who lost their jobs and gave them hiring preference in other open positions," a representative said. "Some took advantage of this offer and some did not."

The lawsuit raises an interesting debate. Should a business such as a casino, which depends in large part on its image for its success, be allowed to dictate what its employees must look like? Do the firings at issue in this case constitute discrimination, or are they simply insensitive and hurtful?

Source: KCRA Sacramento, "Sexy Costumes Lead To Firing Of NJ Casino Servers", Wayne Perry, 1 April 2011