Our religious discrimination attorneys in San Diego understand that your faith may be an essential part of your life. Employment discrimination against an employee’s religious beliefs is unlawful and against both California and Federal law. An employer must permit an employee to engage in their religious practices at work, and grant them the same basic civil rights as their coworkers.
What Is Religious Belief Discrimination?
Religious discrimination is when a person is treated poorly because of his or her religious beliefs. These beliefs can extend from traditional organized religions such as Christianity or Hinduism, as well as translate to personal ethical and moral beliefs.
In the workplace, religious-based discrimination claims often involve sexual harassment, sex discrimination, wrongful termination, or segregation due to religious dress, as well as the failure by employers to allow accommodation for religious observances, practices, and holidays. If an employee makes a request for religious accommodation, the employer must make reasonable accommodations to comply.
How Do State and Federal Law Govern Religious Belief Discrimination?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people with different beliefs or religious observances. Broadly, it prohibits discrimination based on specific characteristics such as race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, and religion. California law goes further to guarantee religious belief rights with the California Religious Freedom Act, which beefs up the protections offered by Title VII with additional civil rights and religious freedoms for California employees.
To support civil rights and religious freedoms, employers may not treat any employees or job applicants less favorably due to their religious beliefs or practices. For example, an employer cannot refuse to hire someone, set additional promotion requirements, or enact stricter job performance standards based on religious beliefs or practices.
What Can You Do If You Experience Religious Discrimination?
Unfortunately, even with these laws passed, wrongful termination and discrimination cases still persist in Southern California. If you believe you have been discriminated against due to your religion, sexual orientation, or age discrimination, or you are working in a hostile work environment, contact our San Diego law offices for a consultation.
Our experienced workplace discrimination lawyers at HKM Employment Attorneys LLP will assist with any religious discrimination-related legal issues you may be experiencing.
From providing legal advice to filing the paperwork with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), our experienced attorneys will work hard to build a strong attorney-client relationship with you and make sure you are treated fairly in your workplace.
Contact our San Diego employment law attorneys to learn more about our practice areas and how we can help.
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