Many people face religious discrimination each and every day of their lives. Sometimes it even occurs in the workplace. But luckily, if it does, there are things that can be done to stop it. Here’s what to know about employment discrimination based on religion in the workplace in Georgia.
What Does Religious Discrimination Look Like in the Workplace?
Under federal law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, workplace religious discrimination is prohibited. So, what does this mean? It means that those who work for the company (employees) and those who are trying to work for the company (applicants) may not be treated differently than anyone else in their position solely on the basis of their religion.
This applies from the application phase through the termination of employment. It means that:
- harassment,
- retaliation, and
- denial of reasonable accommodations because of one’s religious beliefs are all prohibited.
What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
When someone is unable to perform their job responsibilities in a specific way due to their religious beliefs, they are entitled to a reasonable accommodation. This means that it is the responsibility of the employer to provide another way for them to complete their job responsibilities so long as it is reasonable. To be reasonable, it must not be excessive in time or financial costs to the company. For instance, it would not be considered reasonable to require the employer to purchase something that would render it bankrupt. An accommodation that would do so would not be reasonable and therefore would not be required. Examples of reasonable accommodations include:
- Exceptions to dress rules, such as religious head coverings or dressing modestly
- Exceptions to grooming rules, such as an uncut beard or long hair
- Flexible scheduling, such as not working during the Sabbath
- Voluntary shift substitutions
- Lateral transfers
How Long Do You Have to File a Complaint with the EEOC?
If you believe that you were discriminated against on the basis of your religion, you have a limited amount of time to file a claim. You may only file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days of the discriminatory incident. For federal employees it must be within 45 days. This is why it’s so important to speak with a qualified Georgia employment law attorney.
The GA Employment Law Attorneys at Pankey & Horlock, LLC Can Help
If you believe that you have been discriminated against at work because of your religion, it’s important that you seek the assistance of a knowledgeable and experienced Georgia employment law attorney, who can help to point you in the right direction. Understanding the law and the evidence necessary to prove your case is key. Otherwise, you may not know how to proceed.
Fortunately, the attorneys at Pankey & Horlock, LLC understand the importance of such cases and are here to help. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, contact us today!