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Religious Discrimination FAQ
Orange County Religious Discrimination Legal Representation
In the United States, we have the freedom to worship our religion and not be persecuted because of it. Unfortunately, sometimes co-workers or employers do not respect this fundamental right and an employee can suffer religious discrimination as a result. If you feel you’ve been subject to discriminatory actions at your job due to your religious beliefs, you have legal options. The Orange County religious discrimination lawyers at the Serendib Law Firm are available to help you file the appropriate claims in these situations. The following are some common questions our firm receives when workers are unsure of their circumstances.
- What Is Religious Discrimination Under the Law?
- What Are the Most Common Forms of Religious Discrimination?
- What Accommodations Am I Entitled to for My Religious Practices?
- What Laws Protect My Religious Freedoms in the Workplace?
- Are Jokes or Slurs Based on Religion Illegal?
- What Compensation Can I Expect if I File a Claim?
- How Can I Find Out More About My Legal Options?
What Is Religious Discrimination Under the Law?
Religious discrimination happens when an employee is treated differently due to their religion, beliefs, or practices. Usually it is an employer, or supervisor, who has taken an adverse action against an employee based on their religion.
What Are the Most Common Forms of Religious Discrimination?
Being fired or denied a job or promotion based on your faith is a common form of illegal adverse action. An example of this is if you’ve been terminated following a decision to take a day off to observe a major holiday in your religious practice.
Harassment is also a common form of discrimination. This can include jokes targeted at an employee’s religion or other comments that are derogatory. An experienced Orange County religious discrimination attorney can help you determine if you’ve been a victim of unlawful workplace harassment.
What Accommodations Am I Entitled to for My Religious Practices?
Employers failing to provide accommodation for an employee’s religious beliefs or practices is a common discriminatory practice. When an employer denying requested time off, does not allow an employee breaks for prayer, or prevents them from wearing religious attire such as head coverings, they are acting unlawfully.
Your employer is required to allow time off for your religious practices, unless it would create an undue hardship. In determining whether an accommodation is an unfair hardship on the employer, a review of whether it exceeds regular administrative costs; impairs workplace safety; or interferes with another employee’s rights are the general standards. If you requested time off to observe a holiday, or have been denied another accommodation you believe was reasonable, the Orange County religious discrimination attorneys at Serendib Law Firm are available to discuss your legal options.
What Laws Protect My Religious Freedoms in the Workplace?
Federally, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which governs employers with at least 15 employees, prohibits discrimination based on religion. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which applies to employers with at least five employees, also gives additional protections for employees’ religious grooming as well as dressing practices.
Are Jokes or Slurs Based on Religion Illegal?
When a co-worker, or especially a supervisor, makes a joke or directs a slur based on your religion, it can be considered harassment. If you file a report with human resources, as well as document such behavior, and the targeted conduct continues without consequences, this could be grounds for a hostile work environment claim.
What Compensation Can I Expect if I File a Claim?
In a successful religious discrimination case, a victimized employee can recover all lost wages, income, or earnings that were denied due to discriminatory practices, as well as future loss of income. Mental suffering and emotional distress damages may also be awarded.
How Can I Find Out More About My Legal Options?
At the Serendib Law Firm, our religious discrimination lawyers assist Southern California employees in determining what legal course of action is appropriate in their situation. If you’ve suffered religious discrimination at work in Orange Los Angeles, San Bernardino, or Riverside County, please contact our office today. We can be reached at 1-800-LAW-8825 (800-529-8825) or contact us online for more information about our legal services.
