Nurse Fired for Wearing Protective Cap

Majdouline B., a nurse since 2018 at an AP-HP hospital, was fired on November 10, 2025. For a year, hospital management criticized her for consistently wearing a cap – a fabric protective covering typically used in operating rooms or intensive care units – in all areas of the hospital.

Over the course of the year, she received six summonses and one formal reprimand, culminating in a disciplinary council in October.

Initially, “the AP-HP criticized her for wearing the head covering due to supposed religious beliefs,” according to her lawyer, Me Lionel Crusoé. They argued “it violated the principle of neutrality of public services” and contradicted the secularism guide distributed to staff.

However, Majdouline B.never claimed any religious affiliation, stating that wearing the cap was a matter of “her private life.” the secularism argument “was ultimately dismissed,” Crusoé added.

Dismissal Felt as Discrimination

The AP-HP justified her dismissal by stating she “refused to obey a rule” justified by concerns about hygiene and patient safety. Majdouline B. and her legal team argue this justification is a pretext for discrimination. They contend the hospital’s concerns are unfounded, as the cap is a protective measure and doesn’t pose a risk to patients. They also point to inconsistencies in the hospital’s application of dress code policies.

The case raises questions about the balance between hospital regulations, employee rights, and the interpretation of secularism in public service.Further legal proceedings are expected.