Being Treated Unfairly at Work? How to Identify Religious Discrimination

A hostile work environment can make life unbearable, especially if the hostility includes discrimination. Many people equate employment discrimination with gender, age, and ethnicity. However, religious discrimination can be equally as devastating and equally ignored. If you feel that you've been the victim of religious discrimination, you need to hire an employment attorney as soon as possible. If you're not sure that the treatment you're receiving would be considered discrimination, look at the list provided below. If you've experienced any of the situations described here, you may be the victim of religious discrimination in the workplace. 

You've Been Denied Accommodations

If your religious practice requires work breaks to accommodate prayers or time away from work for specific religious events, your employer should be providing you with the needed time. However, if your employer has refused to make accommodations, has ridiculed you for your request, or has made life difficult following the request, you need to seek legal representation. Your employer's refusal to provide those necessary accommodations may be enough to prove religious discrimination. 

Your Sacred Garments Are Openly Ridiculed

If you wear sacred garments as part of your religious beliefs and your employer allows you to be openly ridiculed for them, you need to sit down with an employment discrimination attorney. Hijabs, jilbabs, and prayer robes are protected religious wear, as are other types of sacred garments. Any type of discrimination or workplace harassment aimed at the clothing you wear should be reported to an attorney right away. It should be noted that certain hairstyles worn as part of a religious belief are also protected against religious discrimination and harassment. 

Your Complaints Have Been Routinely Ignored

If you've been the victim of discrimination or harassment due to your religious beliefs and your complaints have been ignored, it's time to hire an attorney. Employers have an obligation to make the workplace a safe environment for their employees, which includes protection against religious discrimination. If your employer is ignoring the discrimination, encouraging the discrimination, or participating in the discrimination, you need legal help right away. 

You've Been Passed Over for Advancement

If you've been passed over for advancement, whether promotions or raises, you need to speak to an employment attorney about the situation. This is particularly important if there could be no other reason for the lack of advancement. For instance, if employees with less training, experience, or time on the job are being promoted ahead of you, your only recourse is to hire an attorney.

 

When you're looking to file an employment discrimination lawsuit, it can be a scary decision. It's important to speak to a discrimination lawyer about your case to make sure you have the necessary protections in place.

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