Employment Law
Los Angeles Religious Discrimination Lawyers
Workers Trust King & Siegal LLP for Strategic Counsel
In addition to protecting Californians of all races, colors, and genders, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) also bans discrimination against employees based on their religion or creed.
Promoting religious diversity in the workplace is essential to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all employees. Sadly, religious discrimination still occurs in various employment settings. If you suspect religious discrimination in your workplace or your employer has acted discriminatorily toward you, it’s essential to know how to address and combat their behavior. Working with Los Angeles religious discrimination lawyers can help you recognize religious discrimination, understand your rights, and take appropriate actions to protect yourself.
The advocates at King & Siegel LLP understand the corrosive, insidious effect of workplace religious discrimination. We know how sensitive these types of claims are for employees experiencing this behavior. If you think you have a religious discrimination case, we’re here to help you fight for a just resolution.
What Can the Los Angeles Religious Discrimination Lawyers at King & Siegel LLP Do for Me?
We take pride in our commitment to equality. In the few years we’ve been in practice, our clients have won over $45 million in settlements and verdicts. If you believe you have a religious discrimination claim, we offer the following services:
- Explaining your rights under federal and state laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and California’s FEHA, and help you understand how these laws apply to your situation;
- Helping you collect relevant evidence that supports your claim and establishes a pattern of discrimination;
- Helping you understand the damages you may be entitled to and work to secure appropriate remedies for the discrimination you’ve experienced;
- Facilitating communication between you and your employer through negotiation or mediation and work to resolve your claim without going to court;
- Assisting you in filing formal complaints with relevant government agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Civil Rights Department;
- Presenting your case in court if we cannot resolve your claim through negotiations or administrative procedures and you proceed to litigation; and
- Helping you take legal action if your employer retaliates against you for filing a religious discrimination claim.
Every case is unique, and our specific services will depend on your case’s details. However, you can rest assured that our experience, compassionate approach, aggressive representation, and proven results mean you’ll be in expert hands.
What Is Religious Discrimination in Hiring, Firing & Promotion
In California, there are unfortunately many cases where employers discriminate against their employees due to their religion. These methods can be very subtle since an employer will try to make it appear that their decisions were based on other factors to avoid getting caught.
Some common examples include:
- Terminating an employee for absenteeism after they have asked for work off to practice or observe a religious holiday;
- Refusing to give an employee a raise or a promotion based on their discussion of religious beliefs with colleagues off the clock, such as at meals or breaks;
- Giving an employee unjustifiably negative performance evaluations based on their religious beliefs rather than their actual job performance;
- Denying employees training opportunities, mentoring, or career advancement due to their religious background or practices;
- Subjecting an employee to unnecessary and intrusive questions about their religious beliefs during interviews, performance evaluations, or other work-related interactions; and
- Rejecting an applicant who is otherwise suitable for a position simply because of their religious beliefs or observations.
If you believe you’ve experienced this or other forms of religious discrimination, it’s important to document the incident, follow your company’s reporting procedures, and seek legal advice to protect your rights.
What Is Religious Harassment & Lack of Accommodation?
Other ways that an employer might act unjustly their employees include direct harassment as well as refusing to provide proper accommodation. For example, an employer could overtly discriminate against workers by making fun of them and their practices, or claim they are violating the dress code of the business with their religious clothing. Blatantly mocking someone for having strong Christian beliefs or taunting a Muslim or Jewish employee for refusing to eat non-halal or non-kosher food at a corporate meal would also be illegal under FEHA.
Other specific examples include:
- Prohibiting an employee from wearing religious clothing, symbols, or accessories while allowing others to wear non-religious attire or symbols;
- Enforcing dress code policies that disproportionately affect employees’ religious attire, forcing them to choose between their faith and their job;
- Placing a worker in a role that has little contact with the public because of their religious clothing;
- Failing to provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices, such as not allowing breaks for prayer or not providing suitable spaces for religious observances; and
- Creating an environment where employees are subjected to continuous offensive jokes, comments, or slurs related to their religion, making it difficult for them to work comfortably.
By recognizing signs of discrimination, understanding your rights, and taking appropriate steps, you can protect yourself and foster a diverse workplace.
What Should I Do If I’m Experiencing Religious Discrimination in the Workplace?
If you believe you are experiencing workplace religious discrimination, take the following steps:
- Keep records. Make note of the incidents, including dates, times, locations, people involved, witnesses, and what happened. Gather any supporting evidence, such as emails, text messages, or other documents that could support your case.
- Identify policies. Review your company’s policies on discrimination and harassment to help you understand the procedures for filing a complaint.
- Speak with human resources. File a formal complaint with your human resources department and provide them with the records you’ve been keeping.
- Talk to your boss or manager. If appropriate, and you feel comfortable, discuss the issue with your manager. They may not be aware there’s a problem and could help resolve it.
- File a complaint. If you can’t resolve the issue internally, file a formal complaint with the government agency responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws, for example, the EEOC or the Civil Rights Department for state complaints in California.
- Be aware of deadlines. You must submit your discrimination complaint within three years of the discriminatory action, since exceeding this limit will preclude you from filing. Moreover, if the Civil Rights Department issues you a right-to-sue letter, you will have one year from receiving it to commence legal proceedings against the party engaging in the discriminatory conduct.
The best thing you can do is consult with an attorney experienced in religious discrimination who can provide legal advice tailored to your situation.
Religious Discrimination Lawyer in Los Angeles Offer Powerful Representation
If your religious freedom is under attack, your employer is attacking the very Constitution itself. Here at King & Siegel LLP, we are ready to support you with our most aggressive employment law representation so that you get the justice you deserve.
If you believe you are being discriminated against in the workplace because of your religion, King & Siegel LLP welcomes you to call our legal team today at (213) 465-4802 for a free review of your case.
Our experienced legal team also handles other types of discrimination cases, including:
- Age Discrimination,
- Disability Discrimination,
- Gender Discrimination,
- Parental Status Discrimination,
- Pregnancy Discrimination,
- Race Discrimination, and
- Sexual Orientation Discrimination.
Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference.