Religious discrimination is a problem that is often overlooked or swept under the rug and can happen to anyone at any time in the workplace, resulting in many difficulties for people both in their personal and work lives.
Although there are no legal restrictions for mild teasing and minor isolated incidents, religious discrimination is unlawful when a person is harassed to such an extent that they are unable to work properly, feel uncomfortable in their place of work, or are suffering consequences due to their religious practices or beliefs. A person who experiences religious discrimination can be either an applicant or an employee. In some instances, a client may experience religious discrimination as well.
Since there are many religions observed by people, victims need to know the signs of religious discrimination when it occurs. This can include but is not limited to:
➊ Being fired or demoted due to religious beliefs or customs
➋ Harassment or unpleasant/unprofessional behavior
➌ Verbal or written threats
➍ Discriminating against employees for religious dress or headwear
➎ Punishment for practicing a certain religion
➏ Insulting or offending a person’s religious beliefs or practices
➐ Reducing an employee’s pay because of their religious faith.
An employee who is a victim of religious discrimination has 180 days to file a claim with the EEOC which may be extended by some state laws.
Federal employees have a 45-day window to contact an EEO counselor.
To qualify for a religious discrimination claim, an employee must work or have worked for an employer with 15 or more employees.
The law protects people who belong to traditional organized religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism; it also protects people who hold religious, ethical, or moral beliefs. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids workplace or job segregation based on religion which includes religious grooming practices or religious garbs.
Being treated differently because of religious beliefs or practices is a violation of your rights and should not be dismissed. If you or someone you know has faced religious discrimination in your workplace, feel unsafe, or a part of a hostile work environment, report the issue to the appropriate department in your place of work and contact Spielberger Law Group today to determine whether you have a claim to pursue. Our highly knowledgeable attorneys experienced in religious discrimination cases can offer the crucial support you need to fight for your rights.
The above is intended as a general guide to better understand potential claims against employers with respect to religious discrimination in the workplace. Your claims may be time sensitive and we encourage you to complete our free case evaluation request to increase the chance of meeting deadlines for filing your claim. Employment attorneys at Spielberger Law Group are passionate about employment law and are true advocates of employees whose rights have been violated.
Once you’ve completed our free case evaluation form, an employment lawyer licensed to practice employment law in your state will review your statements and you will be contacted by our firm after determining whether you have claims to pursue. Do not miss your opportunity to bring justice to your workplace, contact us today for the chance to receive the best recovery possible.
