ARE YOU A JEHOVAH’S WITNESS WHO WAS FIRED FOR NOT PARTICIPATING IN AN EVENT THAT WAS CONTRARY TO YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS?
Did you know that religious discrimination is prohibited under both California and federal law? Under the law, your boss may not treat you differently based on your religion in relation to the “terms and conditions” of employment. Terms and conditions relate to scheduling, salary, training opportunities, titles, vacation time, etc. Under federal law, a boss must make reasonable accommodations for a person’s religious beliefs or practices. The employer is only exempt from this requirement if the accommodation would be an undue burden on the employer. This means that the employer would not have to accommodate the request if it would pose a substantial economic burden.
In addition, it is also against the law for your boss to ask your religious beliefs. Often times, religious discrimination may be connected with national origin discrimination. Under federal law, an employee cannot be forced to participate, or not participate, in a religious activity as a condition of employment. Recently, Alliance rental Center was charged with religious discrimination. The lawsuit alleged that the company violated the rights of a Jehovah’s Witness employee. The company had a “Red Shirt Friday” dress code that was implemented to show support for the U.S. Military. However, the employee’s religion forbid him from expressing opinions about government or political issues. The worker sought to be excused from the dress code, but was reprimanded for not complying. The employee was later fired.
If you have been a victim of religious discrimination, get help today. Call the experienced team of employment attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP. You can reach us at 1-800-ALAWPRO or 1-800-252-9776 for a free consultation. You can also visit us at www.discriminationattorney.com to learn more.
