The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII of that Act protect employees and students from religious discrimination in the workplace and in the educational setting. Employers cannot discriminate against their employees or prospective employees on the basis of their religion. This means that they cannot treat employees or job applicants more or less favorably on the basis of their religious beliefs or practices. This means that employees cannot be hired, fired, withheld benefits, wrongfully terminated, withheld a promotion or withheld a certain salary because of their religious beliefs or practices. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor organizations. Employees must also not be forced into participating in religious activities as a condition of employment. Employers must also accommodate their employees' religious beliefs and holidays or face hardship on their business interests as well as fines if a complaint is filed against the employer. For instance, if a Jewish employee wishes to take time off for Hanukkah and the employer denies the time off, that employee can file a charge of religious discrimination against the employer with the EEOC. Employers must also take steps to prevent religious harassment at their workplace by other members of management and employees.
If you feel you have been discriminated against or have questions about discrimination, contact a lawyer who can help. |
Religious discrimination includes:
Employers are required to make accommodations for their employees to avoid religious discrimination and if they do not make proper accommodations than they can be sued by their employees. Such accommodations are:
Behavior that is conducive of harassment in the workplace, at public places, or in educational institutions because of a person's religious beliefs is also protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII protects Americans from harassment based on their religious beliefs.
If you feel you have been discriminated against or have questions about discrimination, contact a lawyer who can help. |
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