If you believe you have received differential treatment at work based on your religious beliefs, practices or perceived religious views, you may have grounds for a claim of religious discrimination.
Under Federal Civil Rights Laws including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as under local laws such as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees on the basis of their religion, religious beliefs or religious practices.
Additionally, employers are not allowed to treat job applicants differently, either more or less favorably, because of their particular religious beliefs and practices or lack thereof. Employers are further prohibited from inquiring about a potential employee’s beliefs and from declining to hire them based on their answer. These protections do no only apply to members of formal religious organizations, but also apply to atheists, agnostics, humanists and others who hold various worldviews.
The law also requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” for employees so that they can continue to practice their religious beliefs while they are employed, assuming that such accommodations are not too burdensome on the employer. However, if an accommodation results in “undue hardship” for the employer, for example by carrying more than ordinary administrative costs, infringing on others’ benefits, or is in conflict with laws or regulations, an employer will not be expected to provide such an accommodation.
If you have been fired, harassed, or otherwise mistreated at work due to your religion or your religious beliefs and practices, you may have a claim for unlawful religious discrimination. Additionally, if your employer has failed to accommodate your reasonable requests that would allow you to practice your religious beliefs, you also may have a claim for religious discrimination.
In addition, employers further have a duty to protect their employees against workplace harassment due to their religion or religious beliefs.
If you believe you have been discriminated against at work based on your religion or have been the victim of retaliation due to your religious beliefs or practices, call Silver & Silver today for a free consultation at 610-638-7255.