Do you believe that you have been treated differently in the workplace on account of your religious beliefs? Has your employer demoted you or chosen not to promote you because of your religious background? Are you being harassed because of your religious affiliation? You may have grounds for a religious discrimination claim.
Under both federal law and the Kansas Statutes, employees are entitled to their freedom of religion. This means that you are legally entitled to work in an environment in which your religious beliefs are not to be subject to undue comment or discrimination.
Your employer is not allowed to discriminate against you on account of your religion. Your employer must also take steps to put a stop to any discrimination in the workplace that you are made to suffer because of your religion. If any of this is happening to you on account of your co-workers or employer, then you may have a case for religious discrimination.
What Constitutes Religious Discrimination?
The Kansas Human Rights Commission advises that religious discrimination resulting in unfavorable or different treatment of an employee simply because of his or her religious beliefs is illegal in our state. Under Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act, it unlawful for an employer to do any of the following:
- Force an employee to participate in or not participate in any religious activity as a condition of employment
- Make, print, or circulate any policy or statement that expresses any limitation, specification, or discrimination because of religion
- Refuse to hire because of religious beliefs
- Discriminate in compensation, terms, benefits, conditions, or privileges of employment on grounds of religion
- Terminate employment on account of religion
- Limit or classify employees based on religion
- Fail to put an end to any religious discrimination or harassment in the workplace even after seeing it or being notified of it
- Fail to make reasonable accommodation for an employee’s religious beliefs or practices
Reasonable Accommodation
Under Kansas Acts Against Discrimination (K.S.A. 44-1001 et.seq.) your employer is obligated to make reasonable accommodations for you for your religious beliefs. Reasonable accommodation here means allowing you the best environment to work without denying you of your right to practice your religion. For instance, reasonable accommodation could include allowing you to get off work early to observe a religious ceremony or allowing you a religious-based appearance or dress style such as a scarf.
Examples of Religious Discrimination
Religious discrimination may be obvious or subtle. It is not always easy to prove. You can, however, pay attention to things like an employer’s questions during an interview. This would help you distinguish between honest hiring practices and religious discrimination.
If there were numerous questions about your religious beliefs or practices, you may have been refused that employment on account of your religion. An example is a question about your need to take time off to pray. If any of the above applies to you, you may have a case for religious discrimination.
Speak to a Religious Discrimination Lawyer in Kansas City
If you believe you were discriminated against as a result of your religious beliefs by your employer or while you were applying for a new job, take action today and contact HKM Employment Attorneys. We are ready and able to help.
Call 816-607-4691or fill out this form and we will get back to you ASAP.