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Religious Discrimination

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) protects workers from being treated unfairly based on their religion. Employers that fail to interview, hire, or promote an individual, or who demote, terminate, or harass an employee because of their religious beliefs are in violation of the NJLAD. Victims of religious discrimination often suffer health complications as a result of this unlawful conduct in the workplace.

The Cherry Hill employment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. are staunch advocates for protecting the legal rights of American workers. The dedicated team of employment lawyers work diligently to ensure their clients are free to practice their religious beliefs without judgment or discrimination in the workplace.

Types of Religious Discrimination

An employer that engages in the following types of behavior based solely on an applicant’s or employee’s religious beliefs is in violation of NJLAD laws:

  • Refusal to interview or hire
  • Exclude employees from job postings and advertisements
  • Failure to promote
  • Demotion or termination
  • Job assignments below the capabilities of the employee
  • Layoff and termination
  • Lower pay than other comparable workers
  • Modified health or company benefits
  • Non-customer contact or segregation from other workers
  • Refusal to provide reasonable accommodations
  • Prohibiting religious clothing
  • Harassment, offensive jokes, and insults related to specific religions or beliefs

It is important to note that religious protections also extend to those employees that do not identify with an organized religion, or who are agnostic or atheist.  Just as employees have the legal right to choose and practice the religion of their choice without fear of discrimination or retaliation, non-religious employees have the same right to practice their beliefs.

Reasonable Accommodations for Religious Employees

Anti-discrimination laws require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for religious traditions and practices. A reasonable accommodation is one that allows an employee to freely practice their faith without causing undue financial hardship or negative business effects to their employer. Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

  • Time off from work to attend religious services or to honor religious holidays
  • Modifications to corporate dress codes to permit religious attire
  • Provide a quiet place within the building for prayer or religious meditation
  • Shift modifications to accommodate religious doctrines
  • Changing job assignments to accommodate religious beliefs
  • Being excused from participation in prayer or invocations at business functions
  • Allowing time off to attend religious services of a spouse or child, even when the employee does not share the same religious beliefs

Reasonable accommodations allow employees to practice their religious beliefs and help employers stay compliant with federal and state laws.

What to Do If You are a Victim of Religious Discrimination at Work

If you suffered discrimination at the workplace due to your religious beliefs and traditions, you have the right to seek justice. Enlisting the counsel and representation of an experienced employment lawyer will ensure you have the evidence necessary to support your claims. When religious discrimination occurs at work, employees should follow corporate policy for reporting it, and if the situation continues, they need to follow the standard procedures for filing a religious discrimination lawsuit. There are several options available to victims:

  • Report the discriminatory actions to your supervisor or manager
  • Consult with an experienced employment lawyer to discuss legal options
  • Pursue legal action against the employer by filing a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights within 180 days of the discriminatory action
  • File a complaint with the New Jersey Superior Court

Restitution for religious discrimination can vary, but victims can receive compensation from employers found guilty of violating anti-discrimination laws.  In some cases, victims of religious discrimination can receive back pay, compensation for attorney fees, and compensatory damages.

Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Help Victims of Religious Discrimination Claim Justice

If you have been a victim of religious discrimination in the workplace, call the Cherry Hill employment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. at 215-569-1999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. Located in Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Marlton, Moorestown, and Mount Laurel.

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