Our experienced Religious Discrimination Lawyer will fight to protect your rights.
Discriminating against an employee because of their religious beliefs creates a toxic work environment and also against the law. Nevertheless, religious discrimination in the workplace is real, and employees often feel powerless in the face of such bigotry.
“Extremely professional! They will not make you feel left out in the cold like other firms!”
– ChrisIf you experienced religious discrimination in the workplace, you have legal options. The dedicated attorneys at the Employment and Commerce Law Group focus exclusively on protecting the rights of employees and consumers in Tennessee. We advocate for individuals, not companies, and we have a proven track record of success in cases against some of the largest corporations in the country.
Let us defend you and your guaranteed rights. Contact our office today for a free, confidential consultation with a religious discrimination lawyer.
Religious discrimination involves mistreating someone because of their religious beliefs. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the law protects those belonging to traditional, organized religions and those with deeply held religious, ethical, or moral beliefs, even if they do not adhere to organized religion.
Examples of Religious Discrimination in the Workplace
Common examples of religious discrimination in the workplace include:
Several laws protect employees from religious discrimination at work. At the federal level, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. However, Title VII applies only to private employers with 15 or more employees, state or local government entities with 15 or more employees, the federal government as an employer, unions, and employment agencies, according to the EEOC.
For the most part, Tennessee’s laws against religious discrimination in the workplace conform to federal regulations. The Tennessee Human Rights Act prohibits workplace discrimination based on “race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.” The Tennessee Human Rights Commission is the state agency that handles complaints about religious discrimination at work. While Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies only to businesses with 15 or more employees, the Tennessee Human Rights Act applies to companies with eight or more employees.
The penalties for religious discrimination in the workplace depends on the circumstances. An employee discriminated against for their religion may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the employer in civil court. If the employer is found liable, it may be ordered to pay compensation based on the harm or losses the employee suffered. Every case is different, so speak to an experienced religious discrimination lawyer to learn your legal options.
Yes. Religious organizations such as churches and parochial schools are generally allowed to give employment preference to those who adhere to the organization’s religion. However, religious organizations and schools cannot discriminate based on race, gender, or another protected characteristic, even if the organization claims such exclusion is permitted due to its religious beliefs.
Federal law requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for an employee’s religious beliefs or practices. Generally, a reasonable accommodation would not create an undue hardship for the employer. The EEOC defines undue hardship as something that is “costly, compromises workplace safety, decreases workplace efficiency, infringes on the rights of other employees, or requires other employees to do more than their share of potentially hazardous or burdensome work.”
Common examples of reasonable accommodations include flexible scheduling, shift substitutions, or job reassignments. The law applies to an employee’s dress or grooming practices related to their religious beliefs, such as head coverings, hairstyles, or specific garments.
According to the EEOC, religious harassment in the workplace occurs when:
Behavior that is severe and persistent is often considered harassment. For instance, religious discrimination occurs when one employee is paid less than another employee with a similar role based on the employee’s religion. On the other hand, religious harassment occurs when an employer makes frequent and severe offensive remarks about an employee’s religion, creating a hostile work environment or prompting the employee to quit.
Both religious harassment and discrimination are prohibited by state and federal law, and you should speak to an attorney immediately if you are mistreated at work.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees’ rights to take time off from work for religious holidays as long it doesn’t create an undue hardship for the employer. While an employer can deny a time-off request, it should consider whether giving the employee the holiday off would result in severe difficulty or suffering for the company.
If you have experienced religious discrimination at work, here are some steps you can take:
Every employee has a right to be treated fairly regardless of their religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. Call or contact the Employment and Commerce Law Group today if you have been discriminated against at work because of your religion. The first consultation is free.
