Make no mistake about it: discrimination exists in our society. It is a real threat to many different people, and it contributes to the negative and unfair treatment of hundreds of thousands of Americans every day. While it is a slow process of managing this discrimination among the general population, the law is very clear about how it treats discrimination in the workplace. It is illegal to engage in any discrimination in the workplace, including discrimination based on age, gender, race and even religion.
Religious discrimination often takes a backseat to gender and racial discrimination, but with the current events in the Middle East, religious discrimination is being brought to the front of the American conscience. Many Muslims are affected by this unfair treatment, but it is important to remember that many people face discrimination based on their religious beliefs. Thanks to the Civil Rights Act, you can at least be safe from this discrimination when it comes to employment.
The Civil Rights Act not only prevents employers from discriminating in their hiring and firing practices, it also affords individuals certain liberties necessary to practice their religion. Employers are required to make reasonable accommodation so that an employee’s work responsibilities do not conflict with that employee’s ability to practice their faith. Examples of this can include flexible scheduling and job reassignments.
You can read more about religious discrimination in this article. If you believe that you are being discriminated based on your religion, consider meeting with an attorney who is familiar with employment law. In California especially, we take employment law very seriously, and the San Francisco area prides itself on maintaining high employee satisfaction. Do not hesitate to exercise your rights in the workplace.