Postal Service reinstates Sikh fired for turban

The U.S. Postal Service reinstated a practicing Sikh yesterday in Montgomery County, a day after he said he was fired for wearing a turban required by his faith.

Postal authorities said they were wrong to dismiss Arvinder Singh, 33, who said he had worn the turban since starting work at the Aspen Hill office in March.

Mr. Singh said no one mentioned the turban during his interview, training or 90-day probation period. But this month, Postmaster Judy Walker told him in a letter that turbans are not approved headgear. Monday morning, Mr. Singh said, his supervisor told him he could not start work unless he took off his turban.

Mr. Singh said he couldn't compromise his faith, so he went home. "I don't want to disrespect anybody," he said. "But this is my belief."

Mr. Singh said he and his union representative filed a grievance with the Postal Service. He plans to file a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, he said.