Do you feel discriminated against in the workplace because of your religious beliefs? Discrimination and harassment based on legally protected characteristics and activities, such as a person’s religious beliefs or modes of expression, is unlawful. 

If you feel targeted in the workplace and subjected to unwarranted and unlawful discrimination and harassment pick up the phone and call us immediately. We are here to help.

What is Religious Discrimination?

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), religious discrimination is defined as any harmful action “against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing, and other…conditions of employment.” 

Religious discrimination can vary from workplace jokes and inappropriate questioning of one’s belief system to the repression of one’s religious expressions and practices in the workplace, such as the wearing of a crucifix or hijab…If you feel uncomfortable, targeted and prejudiced against, please do not hesitate to give Gold Coast Counsel a call. We can discuss the conduct and concerns in detail to determine if our firm can assist you in protecting your religious freedoms and expressions in the workplace. 

What are the Laws Regarding Religious Discrimination?

Good news! Under the new regulations of the California Fair Employment and House Act (FEHA), unpaid interns and volunteers are now also protected, along with employees, from religious discrimination.

Pursuant to FEHA, the “prohibition on religious discrimination and the duty to provide reasonable accommodations for an individual’s religion applies to individuals serving in apprenticeship programs, unpaid internships, and any other program to provide “unpaid experience” for a person in the workplace or industry, as well as to employees, applicants and other covered individuals. (§ 11059(d).)” 

FEHA’s new regulations also require that the Employer accommodate an individual’s religion: 

• “It is unlawful discrimination to fail to hire or terminate an employee in order to avoid accommodating a religion. (§ 11062.)”
• “It is unlawful to discriminate or retaliate against a person for requesting reasonable accommodation based on religion. (§ 11062(d).)”
• “An accommodation is not reasonable if it requires segregation of an employee from customers or the public, unless expressly requested by the employee. (§ 11062(a).)” 

Get Help Now!

If you are suffering from religious discrimination in your workplace, contact an Employment Law Associate at Gold Coast Counsel to speak with an attorney today!

Please note that the Statute of Limitations on a religious discrimination claim holds an expiration date. This means that you will forfeit your right to bring forth this claim if you fail to file a suit prior to this date.

If you wish to pursue claims, depending on the type of claim, you may be required to file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment & Housing (“DFEH”) (www.DFEH.ca.gov) within a specified period of the accrual date of your claims in order to reserve your right to bring state law discrimination claims against your employer. Alternatively, you also have a right to pursue a case with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as an alternative to the DFEH, however, you must file with the EEOC within a specific time period from the date of the accrual of your claims. See http://www.eeoc.gov/youth/timelimits.html. 

If you do not file with the DFEH or EEOC within these time periods, you may lose your right to pursue discrimination or harassment claims in state or federal court. In addition, if you have claims for non-payment of wages, please contact the Labor Commission (http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/HowToFileWageClaim.htm) for more information. These claims also have applicable time limitations.

There may be additional state or federal agencies that require administrative review of your claims, which could limit or extend your time to file complaints, and other statutes of limitations running in your case, we suggest that you immediately contact counsel to advise you of your rights and liabilities.