Religious Discrimination Lawyers in Washington DC

The first thing you should know about religious discrimination is that it’s a form of illegal employment discrimination. No employer has the right to treat you differently or unfavorably because of your religious beliefs. It doesn’t matter if you’re employed or applying for a job at a company.

Federal religious discrimination laws aren’t limited to religions such as Christianity, Islam, or Judaism. These laws also protect your moral and ethical beliefs too. This means traditional and non-traditional religious beliefs are protected in the workplace.

Workplace Religious Discrimination

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals because of their religion (or lack of religious beliefs) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This means employers cannot hire, fire, or mandate other terms and conditions of employment based on religion or national origin. The law also prohibits job segregation based on religion, such as assigning an employee to a non-customer contact position because of actual or feared customer preference. At the district level, employees are protected from religious discrimination under the DC Human Rights Act of 1977.

Another type of religious discrimination involves segregation. Title VII doesn’t allow job segregation based on an employee’s religious beliefs. For example, your employer can’t prohibit you from working with clients or customers because you wear religious garb or have certain religious grooming practices.

Religious Discrimination Workplace Harassment

In Washington, D.C, it is illegal for any employee to harass you at work because of your religious beliefs. Harassment, which can be subtle or overt, may include making offensive remarks about your religion or religious practices. The harasser can be your co-worker, supervisor, client, customer or a supervisor in another department. When harassment based on religious discrimination creates a hostile work environment, you can file a claim to seek justice.

Your Employer Must Make Reasonable Accommodations for You at Work

According to federal laws, an employer must make reasonable accommodations for your religious practices or beliefs at work. The only exception to the law is if making these accommodations will place a burden on the employer’s business. In other words, your employer may be required to accommodate your religious beliefs, such as praying, as long as it doesn’t disrupt business operations.

Contact HKM Employment Attorneys LLP

You have the freedom to choose your religion. No employer has the right to discriminate against you for your religious beliefs. At HKM Employment Attorneys LLP, we are committed to representing clients throughout the Washington, D.C. area who are the victim of religious discrimination. Contact our law firm to discuss your case today. Our employment lawyers will work to resolve your claims.