What Protections Do Employees Have Against Religious Discrimination?

Knowing your rights as an employee is critical, particularly when it comes to religious discrimination in the workplace. No employees should face unfair treatment for expressing or adhering to their faith. At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, we are committed to ensuring every workplace fosters respect and inclusion. We explore the key protections employees have against religious discrimination under federal and Ohio law.

Federal Protections Under Title VII

One of the most significant legal protections against religious discrimination is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under this federal law, employers cannot discriminate against employees or job applicants because of their religion in hiring, firing, promotions, pay and other terms and conditions of employment. Title VII applies to private employers, as well as government agencies and educational institutions with 15 or more employees.

Religious discrimination can occur in various forms, such as:

• Failing to hire or promote an employee due to their religion
• Harassing an employee because of their faith (e.g., derogatory comments, offensive jokes or creating a hostile work environment)
• Refusing reasonable accommodations that allow employees to practice their religion (e.g., time off for religious holidays or exemption from certain job duties that conflict with their beliefs)

Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious practices, unless such accommodations would lead to undue hardship on the operation of the business.

Additionally, Ohio law clarifies the legal protections for employees and outlines the available religious accommodations. Actions such as refusing to accommodate religious practices, making employment contingent on an employee’s agreement to abandon their beliefs, or subjecting employees to harassment or retaliation for raising concerns about religious discrimination are considered unlawful.

What Behaviors Are Unlawful?

Religious discrimination is not limited to overt acts of prejudice; it can often manifest in subtle and less obvious ways, such as exclusionary behaviors, offhand remarks, or unequal treatment based on religious practices or beliefs. These actions, whether intentional or not, are equally unacceptable and can create a hostile work environment. 

Employees must remain vigilant and mindful of these unlawful behaviors in the workplace, as they can undermine inclusivity and respect:

• Unequal Treatment: Assigning less favorable tasks or reducing hours based on someone’s religion.
• Segregation: Separating employees or clients because of objections to their faith or religious garb.
• Retaliation: Demoting, firing or taking adverse actions against an employee who reports religious discrimination.
• Harassment: Subjecting employees to offensive remarks, mocking their faith or fostering an environment where they feel unsafe or unwelcome.

Recognizing these behaviors early is important to protect your rights because discrimination, no matter how subtle, is a serious violation of both federal and state law.

We Are Here To Help

If you believe you’ve experienced religious discrimination in the workplace, time is of the essence. At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, we advocate for individuals facing unfair treatment. Our team will listen to the details of your situation, explain your rights and build a strong strategy to help you achieve the justice you deserve.

Don’t face this difficult situation alone. Contact Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC today for a free consultation, and let us help you stand up for your rights.