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Florida Bar News & Updates
The Florida Bar - Daily News Summary - May 16, 2012
Recent Updates:
Religious Discrimination
There are many forms of discrimination, such as those pertaining to a person's gender, age, or race. American workplaces are diverse places in which employees may hold different religious beliefs as well. It is also illegal to discriminate against an employee or applicant because of their membership to an organized religion. People with other strongly religious, ethical, or moral beliefs are also protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This page is a brief discussion of common methods and remedies of discrimination in the workplace. If you find that the problem isn't being resolved, or that you continue to be treated unfairly, call the Coye Law Firm to reclaim your workplace rights. Our religious discrimination attorneys will:
- discuss your case and determine if discrimination is occurring
- know what your personal rights are as an employee
- discover what compensation you may be entitled to
- pursue legal action through complaints or lawsuits
Forms of Discrimination
It is illegal for an employer to consider a person's religious beliefs when doing the following:
- hiring them for a position
- terminating their employment
- assigning them to a position
- determining their compensation rate
- promoting them
Religious Accommodations
Employers are expected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide reasonable accommodations to religious employees. This can include modifying schedules, allowing work substitutions or swaps, reassigning employees at their request, or slightly altering workplace policies. Many religions have days of reverence on which an employee may elect to miss work. Denying these religious holidays, in certain circumstances, can be a form of discrimination.
Some offices or workplaces have strict dress codes, which can present a dilemma for some employees. Employees who choose to add religious garments or headwear, such as yarmulkes or headscarfs, should be permitted to wear them if it doesn't present an undue hardship to the employer. This also applies to facial hair and hairstyles. Religions may prohibit certain clothes, such as pants or miniskirts, from being worn. Employers are expected to reasonably accommodate employees belonging to such religions.
Discrimination & Families
Families can be negatively affected by religious discrimination. Employers are acting illegally if they act in the ways listed above while considering an employee's relationship with a religious person. If your marriage or family life has suffered as a result of workplace discrimination, you need to work with an experienced attorney to resolve the problems and reclaim your comfort on the job.
Is It Discrimination?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's overview of religious discrimination states that "simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that aren't very serious" may not fall into the realm of discrimination. If you find that problems persist after speaking with a supervisor or contacting your company's human resources department, your claim may be more serious than you thought. contact a lawyer at the Coye Law Firm to find out if your "isolated incident" is in fact discrimination.
To file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC, visit their website.
It is important to take your workplace's established policies into account when considering a discrimination case. However, if your employer is dedicated to following federal laws that protect the diversity of American workers, then call the Coye Law Firm if you suspect that your rights are being denied or stifled. Our experienced discrimination lawyers can help you reclaim respect and comfort in the workplace. Call our offices today.