The United States of America was founded on the premise that we have the freedom to practice any religion we choose. Unfortunately, there are times where employers violate this right. If you believe your employer has discriminated against you based on your religion, you may be able to take action against him or her. Here are some of the questions you may have for our experienced Georgia employment rights attorney:
What is religious discrimination in the workplace?
We all know, at least on a basic level, what religious discrimination looks like. It is vile, and fortunately, discriminating against someone because of their race is prohibited under federal law. More specifically, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under this law, employees or applicants cannot be treated differently than other employees. This also means that those employees may not be retaliated against, harassed, or denied a reasonable accommodation due to their religious beliefs. All of the following scenarios are considered reasonable accommodations:
- Exceptions to dress rules if the religion calls for it
- Exceptions to grooming rules, if the religion calls for it
- Flexible scheduling (if there is a religious holiday, people should be free to observe it)
- Voluntary shift substitutions
- Lateral transfers
That being said, if you are an employee at a company and your beliefs have caused the business to suffer what is known as an “undue hardship,” such as your religion imposing excessive cost on the business, compromises the safety of the workplace, significantly decreases workplace efficiency, or infringes on another employee’s rights, you may not have a case against your employer if he or she decides to terminate your contract. However, that being said, you should also note that Title VII specifically states that employers are prohibited from forcing an employee to take part in any religious activity to remain an employee at the company.
How long will I have to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
If you believe you were discriminated against because of your religion, as long as your business has 15 or more employees, you may file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days of the incident. That being said, if you are a federal employee, you must speak with an EEO Counselor within 45 days of the incident occurring.
If you have any additional questions regarding religious discrimination in the workplace, or you believe you are the victim of discrimination in the workplace of any kind, our firm may be able to help you. Please do not hesitate to give our knowledgeable Georgia employment rights attorney a call today. Our firm is here to fight for your right to work without feeling threatened or discriminated against. All you have to do is ask.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GEORGIA FIRM
If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Georgia, you can count on Ben Barrett Law to effectively represent your interests. With over 30 years of experience, Attorney Barrett has the skill and experience necessary to help you navigate the complexities of any employment law matter you may be facing. To discuss your case with a legal team you can trust, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Barrett Law today.