Columbus Religious Discrimination Lawyers

Last updated on March 31, 2026

Legally, your employer cannot treat you unfairly because of your religious beliefs, practices or lack thereof. If you have experienced unfair treatment, bias or a forced choice between your faith and your job, you might be a victim of religious discrimination.

At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, in Columbus, our discrimination attorneys are compassionate and accomplished. With decades of combined experience, they have dedicated their legal careers to fighting for employees’ rights in Ohio, and they will listen to your story. Our religious discrimination attorneys are committed to upholding the right of every person to practice their faith without fear of negative employment consequences.

What Laws Protect Ohio Employees from Religious Discrimination?

In Ohio, both state and federal laws protect employees from religious discrimination. These laws include:

• The Ohio Civil Rights and Fair Employment Practices Act: The Ohio Civil Rights Act makes it unlawful for an employer to discharge, refuse to hire, or otherwise discriminate against a person based on their religion.
• Mandate for Reasonable Accommodation: The Ohio Civil Rights Act also includes a provision that specifically requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for an applicant’s or employee’s religious beliefs and practices. However, the employer can also prove that the accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the employer’s business.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Title VII offers federal protection from religious discrimination nationwide, including Ohio. This federal law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and prohibits discrimination in all terms of employment based on religion (including a lack of religious belief).

Both state and federal laws govern religious discrimination and require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for religious beliefs. Ohio’s state laws prohibiting religious discrimination apply to companies with four or more employees. Federal protection applies to companies with 15 or more employees.

What Are Common Examples of Religious Discrimination?

Religious discrimination occurs if an applicant or employee is treated unfavorably because of their religious beliefs. This not only includes traditional organized religions, but also those who have sincere religious, ethical or moral beliefs. Examples of religious discrimination include:

• Failure to accommodate religious holidays: An employer refuses to adjust your work schedule or allow you to take unpaid time off for important religious observances.
• Discrimination based on attire or grooming: An employer refuses to allow you to wear religious clothing, such as a headscarf or yarmulke, or follow religious grooming practices, like wearing a beard.
• Religious harassment: You are subjected to offensive remarks about your religious beliefs or practices, including ridicule, offensive jokes or negative stereotyping.
• Segregation or isolation: You are intentionally kept away from customers or high-profile assignments due to your religion.
• Termination for refusal to violate faith: You are fired or penalized for refusing to work on your Sabbath or perform a job duty that conflicts with your faith.

Employers are legally obligated to provide reasonable accommodations for an employee’s sincere beliefs or practices, unless doing so causes an undue hardship on the business.

What Is Undue Hardship When it Comes to Religious Discrimination?

Employers must reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious practice unless it would cause an undue hardship on the employer’s business. Historically, courts defined undue hardship broadly.

However, the legal standard for undue hardship became significantly stricter following the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Groff v. DeJoy, 143 S. Ct. 2279 (2023). Now, it is no longer enough for an employer to simply claim the accommodation poses a minimal burden.

The Supreme Court ruled that an employer must show that granting the religious accommodation would result in “substantially increased costs” to the business. It is now more difficult for employers to deny a religious accommodation request. We use this powerful precedent to fight for your right to a reasonable religious accommodation.

How Can You Prove Religious Discrimination in Ohio?

To prove religious discrimination in an Ohio workplace, you must show that your religion or religious practice was a motivating factor in your employer’s adverse action against you. Proof often includes:

• Suspicious timing: The adverse action, such as a termination, happened immediately after you disclosed your religious needs or filed a complaint.
• Direct evidence: Direct comments made by a manager or supervisor that indicate they treated you differently because of your religion.
• Disparate treatment: Showing that employees who are not of your religion were treated more favorably in similar situations.
• Hostile environment: Evidence of severe or pervasive religious harassment that created an intolerable or abusive work atmosphere.

At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, our religious discrimination attorneys will help you demonstrate the connection between your protected status and the harm you suffered.

How Can Our Columbus Religious Discrimination Lawyers Help with Your Case?

Our experienced religious discrimination lawyers at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC have a proven track record fighting for employee and civil rights. We can help with your case by:

• Evaluation: We evaluate your claims to determine the strength of your religious discrimination and retaliation claims under both state and federal law.
• Negotiation: We negotiate with your employer and advocate for a reasonable religious accommodation. We can also negotiate a fair settlement for any harm you have suffered.
• Complaint: We will handle the complex filings required with the EEOC or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC).
• Litigation: If it becomes necessary, our attorneys will take your case to court to seek compensation for lost wages, emotional distress and punitive damages.

We will listen to your story and provide you with the professional, compassionate representation you deserve.

Consult a Columbus Religious Discrimination Attorney

If you are a professional in Columbus experiencing religious discrimination, we want to help you protect your rights. We offer a confidential case evaluation where we can help you assess your claims and discuss potential strategies designed to protect your future. To schedule an appointment, you can call our office at 614-762-9727. You can also send us a message through our website.