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Religious Discrimination

Employee’s Medical Leave Can Be An Adverse Employment Action If Caused By Discriminatory Comments

By on August 2, 2019 in Hostile Work Environment, National Origin, Race Discrimination, Religious Discrimination

A recent case out of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois demonstrates how a supervisor’s repeated derogatory comments about an employee’s Middle Eastern background and religion that forced her to take medical leave became a triable discrimination claim.  Odisho v. U.S. Bancorp, Inc., No. 16 C 11121 (N.D. Ill. 7/24/19). Juliet […]

Employee Grooming Standards: Ensuring Your Policy Complies With Title VII

By on December 28, 2018 in Employment Discrimination, Reasonable Accommodations/Undue Burden, Religious Discrimination

Last week, as many readers are likely aware, a high school wrestling referee in New Jersey ordered an African American student wrestler tocut his dreadlocksimmediately prior to a match, or else forfeit the match.  According to the referee, the dreadlocks and head covering the wrestler offered to wear violated the league’s rules.  A video of […]

Employment Law Test, Question Two.

By on September 13, 2018 in Religious Discrimination

Ok, class, today’s quiz involves religious discrimination.  There’s been a lot of discussion in the news lately about when it is acceptable to act on your religious beliefs regardless of how your actions affect the interests of others.  This becomes a bit tricky when employment discrimination law says you cannot treat people differently, but then […]

Louisiana Judge Holds That Jewish Heritage Can Be Basis For Race Discrimination Claim

By on August 2, 2018 in Employment Discrimination, Race Discrimination, Religious Discrimination

Recently, a federal magistrate judge in Louisiana denied a motion to dismiss in a case in which the defendant is alleged to have refused to hire a football coach because of his “Jewish blood.”  Bonadona v. Louisiana College (W.D. La. July 13, 2018). The case involves Joshua Bonadona, the son of a Jewish mother and […]

Mark of the Beast

By on November 8, 2017 in Employment Discrimination, Religious Discrimination

How does an employer comply with a statutory requirement that an employee says conflicts with a sincerely held religious belief?  This issue has come up when an employee is fired after refusing to produce a social security number for religious reasons.  Courts considering religious discrimination claims in this context have uniformly held that Title VII […]

Fourth Circuit Affirms Finding that Coal Mine Failed to Accommodate Fears of “Mark of the Beast”

By on June 14, 2017 in Religious Discrimination

The balance between individual religious beliefs and technology in the workforce can be a tricky one to strike.  The Fourth Circuit recently addressed potential ramifications of failing to strike that balance appropriately in its decision in EEOC v. Consol Energy, Inc. No. 16-1406 (4th Cir. June 12, 2017). Beverly Butcher worked as a coal miner […]

And You knew it was Porn, How?

By on December 29, 2016 in Religious Discrimination

Religious workplace accommodations are most times not so difficult to accomplish.  An employee needs a quiet place to pray at work.  No problem.  Another worker wants to change his work day by one hour on Friday during the winter months so he can make it home by sun down.  That’s doable.  The rule under Title […]

Moral and Ethical Opposition to Flu Vaccine Not a Religious Belief

By on August 17, 2016 in Religious Discrimination

Title VII prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for religious beliefs and practices.  Protection covers not only religious beliefs that are traditionally associated with some organized religion, but beliefs that may be new, uncommon, or not even part of an organized church or sect. Courts sometimes are […]

EEOC Provides Guidance Regarding Muslim and Middle Eastern Employees

By on December 31, 2015 in Agency Activity, National Origin, Religious Discrimination

On the heels of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, EEOC Chair Jenny R. Yang recently issued a statement to “Address Workplace Discrimination Against Individuals Who Are, or Are Perceived to Be, Muslim or Middle Eastern.” Along with the statement, the EEOC released two “resource documents” to provide guidance to employees and […]

Name Calling, Prayer Circle, and Social Shunning Help Revive Discrimination Claims

By on October 27, 2015 in Employment Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, National Origin, Religious Discrimination

Reversing a decision it described as “replete with error,” the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has revived an employee’s claims of retaliation, and religion- and national origin-based hostile work environment.  Huri v. Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Cir. Ct. of Cook Cnty., No. 12-2217 (7th Cir. Oct. 21, 2015). Fozyia Huri, a […]