Religious Discrimination in Employment
The law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because of their religious beliefs or lack thereof. Religious beliefs include those required by a religion, as well as beliefs that are strongly and sincerely held by individuals. Employers must also make reasonable accommodations for the religious practices of their employees. Examples of reasonable accommodations include changing work hours or break times, providing time off, or assigning to a different job. Employers do not have to make accommodations if doing so would be too difficult or costly for the business. Normally, employers may not require employees to follow certain religious beliefs or practices. However, religious organizations, such as churches, are usually exempt from this requirement.
Some examples of religious discrimination are:
- You are denied a job, denied a promotion, or fired because of your religious beliefs.
- Your employer does not allow you to take time off to observe your day of worship or your religious holidays, even though doing so would not hurt your employer’s business.
- Although it would not hurt business, your employer denies your request to be allowed to follow your religious practices while on the job, including wearing religious clothing, taking breaks to pray, or avoiding tasks that your religion prohibits.
- Your boss or co-workers constantly make fun of your religious practices, or treat you badly because of your religion, and they continue to do so even after you ask them to stop.
- Your employer tells you that you cannot discuss your religious beliefs with your co- workers, or your employer warns, threatens, demotes, or fires you because you discussed your beliefs on the job.
- Your employer requires you to go to a training program that violates your religious beliefs, even though you have told your employer that you wish to be provided with alternative training.
Nichols Kaster & Anderson, PLLP has litigation experience in many types of cases, including religious discrimination. If you think you may become involved in litigation with your employer, feel free to contact us.
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