Written by Don Byrd
The EEOC announced settlement recently in two religious freedom lawsuits against employers who failed to reasonably accommodate employees. In Nags Head, North Carolina, a hotel will pay $45,000 and institute new training and policies regarding religious discrimination. The employee in the case was required to work on the Sabbath despite her requests not to be scheduled at that time.
An EEOC attorney explains:
“Employers need to understand their obligation to balance the conduct of their business with employees’ needs and rights to practice their religion,” said Lynette A. Barnes, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Charlotte District Office. “Where there is minimal impact on the business, those religious needs must be accommodated. No person should ever be forced to choose between her religion and her job.”
Meanwhile a security firm in Philadelphia will pay in excess of $65,000 for firing a Muslim security officer who refused to remove her head scarf.
Keeping a job shouldn’t require losing one’s religious principles. Employers continue to learn this lesson the expensive way.
