The EEOC recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of a nursing assistant at Jasper, Alabama’s Shadescrest Healthcare facility who was allegedly denied the right to wear a hijab in accordance with her faith and ultimately fired over her discrimination complaint. The lawsuit set forth claims of both religious discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The number of workplace religious discrimination complaints with the EEOC continues to rise. The EEOC recently provided new guidance on the issue of religious attire in the workplace, noting that “in most instances, employers are required by federal law to make exceptions to their usual rules or preferences to permit applicants and employees to observe religious dress and grooming practices.”