Religious Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Claims
At LCK Law, we are committed to defending the rights of employees who face discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on their religion or religious practices. Federal and state laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), provide strong protections for employees, ensuring they are free from religious bias in the workplace. Unfortunately, many employees continue to experience unfair treatment or mistreatment because of their religious beliefs. If you have experienced religious discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at work, our firm is here to help you protect your rights and seek justice.
Religious Discrimination
Religious discrimination occurs when an employee is treated unfairly or differently because of their religious beliefs, practices, or affiliation. This can include:
- Unfair hiring, firing, or promotion decisions based on an employee’s religion
- Unequal pay or denial of benefits because of the employee’s religious beliefs or practices
- Failure to provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices, such as prayer breaks, a flexible schedule for religious observances, or exemption from dress code requirements for religious attire (e.g., turbans, hijabs, yarmulkes)
- Adverse treatment such as being passed over for promotions, receiving unfavorable performance reviews, or being subject to disciplinary action due to religious beliefs
Under both Title VII and FEHA, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious beliefs, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the business. If you have experienced religious discrimination in the workplace, our attorneys can help you pursue a claim for compensation and fair treatment.
Religious Harassment
Harassment based on religion occurs when an employee is subjected to offensive, unwelcome behavior because of their religious beliefs or practices. This can include:
- Derogatory comments, jokes, or slurs about an employee’s religion
- Mocking or belittling an employee for their religious attire, customs, or practices
- Exclusion from work-related events or social activities due to religious differences
- Verbal or physical abuse targeting an individual’s religion, such as insults or threats
Employers are legally required to take prompt action to address religious harassment and prevent it from continuing. If you are enduring harassment based on your religious beliefs and it is affecting your work environment, your employer has a duty to intervene. If the harassment is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment, you may have grounds to pursue a legal claim.
Retaliation for Reporting Religious Discrimination or Harassment
Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for asserting their rights, such as reporting religious discrimination or requesting a reasonable accommodation for religious practices. Retaliatory actions can include:
- Termination, demotion, or reassignment to a less favorable position after filing a complaint about religious discrimination or harassment
- Negative performance reviews or unwarranted disciplinary action because the employee requested a religious accommodation or reported mistreatment
- Exclusion from opportunities such as promotions, raises, or job assignments as a result of complaining about religious discrimination or harassment
Both Title VII and FEHA prohibit retaliation against employees who assert their rights to be free from discrimination or harassment based on religion. If you have faced retaliation for asserting your religious rights, it is critical to take legal action to protect yourself and hold your employer accountable.
How We Can Help
At LCK Law, we are passionate about defending employees against religious discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We understand the emotional and professional toll that mistreatment in the workplace can cause, and we are committed to providing compassionate, dedicated legal representation to help you achieve justice.
If you have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation because of your religious beliefs or practices, we are here to help. We will work closely with you to understand your case, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation and remedies you deserve.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation. Let us help you take action against religious discrimination and retaliation in the workplace.