Religious Discrimination

It is illegal for employers to discriminate against employees on the basis of religion.  “Religion” includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, the absence of religion, and moral or ethical beliefs which are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views.  Employers are forbidden from making decisions regarding hiring, promotion, demotion, termination, compensation, job training, and other terms and conditions of employment based on the employee’s religion.  Religious discrimination is prohibited by federal and state law and local ordinances.

Representative Cases

Our firm has handled several cases involving religious discrimination.  Some cases involve a combination of religious and national origin discrimination.  Generally, privacy concerns and confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements prohibit us from identifying cases, named parties, and the existence and terms of settlement agreements.

Action filed against a global communications corporation for religious and race discrimination and retaliation.  Our client, a high performing Muslim Pakistani employee, alleged that the employer repeatedly passed him over for promotions in favor of his less qualified non-Muslim and Caucasian peers.  After he complained of discrimination, the employer retaliated by giving him unwarranted write-ups, lowering his overall performance rating to “unacceptable” and attempting to solicit criticism about him from his co-workers.  No. 05 C 0838, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.

Our client, a Jewish employee, alleged that the employer refused to accommodate her observance of religious holidays, while marginalizing her religious practices.  The owner of the company created a hostile environment with pervasive and extreme anti-Semitic commentary resulting in the constructive discharge of the employee.

If you are concerned about religious discrimination, feel free to contact us.