Religious Discrimination

• What is Religious discrimination?
• What to do if you believe you have been unlawfully treated?
• You have to act promptly.

Working people are protected against discrimination on the basis of their religion.  We have represented victims of discrimination based on religion and have achieved compensation and job protection when they have been treated unlawfully.  These clients contact us because they were discriminated against at work or subject to a hostile work environment.  Employment lawyers at Galfand Berger are here to help you and protect you from religious discrimination and harassment.

What is Religious discrimination?

Federal and state law protect individuals against employment discrimination on the basis of religion.  It is against the law for an employer to discriminate against any employee, or applicant for employment, because of his/her religion in regard to:  hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, job training, or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.

The law prohibits unreasonable refusal to accommodate religiously motivated conduct and practices as well as beliefs. The law is intended to protect employment of opportunituies not only of victims of discrimination but also induviduals who are unintentionally discriminated against  because their religious conflict with neutral work rules. The law is intended to relieve individuals of the burden of choosing between their job and their religious connections where an employer's accommmodation does not burden others. It is unlawful to discriminate against employees because of their religion if a reasonable accommodation of their religious beliefs and practices can be made without cause the employer undue hardship.

What to do if you believe you have been unlawfully treated?

Many companies have policies regarding any discrimination, harassment or retaliation in their company handbook. Likewise, they may have reporting requirements, which may require you to follow a certain procedure.  You should request the company to take action to stop and correct discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. You should follow those procedures and document your actions in writing.  Failure to follow those procedures may lead to a denial of your rights to recover legal damages for the improper action of the company.

You have to act promptly.

There is a limited time in which you can bring a claim for religious discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. You must file your claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under Title VII of the Civil Rights within 180 days of the last act of discrimination and/or the same holds true for filing a state claim with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC). However, if you file a claim with the PHRC within 180 days of the last act of discrimination or harassment, you can file a claim with the EEOC within 300 days of the last act of discrimination or harassment.

If you believe that you have a claim for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, please contact our office for a free case evaluation and assistance in filing your claim.