What is Religious Discrimination?
Religious discrimination is the treatment of an employee differently based on their religious preference. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 specifically addresses religious discrimination. In 2002, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received over 2,500 complaints based on religious discrimination.
What are Types of Employment Discrimination?
Examples of discrimination based on an employee¿s religion are as follows:- Employers cannot treat certain employees more favorably because of their religion.
- Employers cannot force employees to participate in practices against their religious beliefs.
Employers should be flexible with employees regarding religious holidays, practices, etc. However, if the employer is faced with extreme hardship he may have an excuse to dismiss an employee. Also, employers should take all necessary and preventative steps to stop any harassment occurring in the workplace.
What about Customer Preference?
An employer may not discriminate against someone with a different religious practices based on customer preference.
What Steps Should I Take?
An employee that feels they have been discriminated against based on religion has several options available. These include:- Filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC
- Charges should be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination
- In addition, the EEOC has a toll free hotline at 1-800-669-4000 that allows individuals that don't have an EEOC office nearby to request assistance
Should I Consult an Attorney?
An experienced attorney in employment discrimination can be extremely valuable in assisting any employee in religious discrimination issues. The filing of a complaint and gathering of relevant evidence requires an attorney with experience. In addition, an experienced attorney can help to guide employees in any settlement arrangements. |
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