Category Archives: Religious Discrimination

Administaff Temporary Staffing Agency Settles Jewish Discrimination Lawsuit for $115,000

March 21st, 2010

jew.jpgTemporary staffing agencies are especially prone to employment lawsuits because they are frequently responsible not just for their own discrimination, but for the illegal employment practices of the companies that they place temporary workers with, i.e., their own customers. According to the EEOC press release, two Jewish brothers working at Administaff temporary placement agency in Baltimore were subject to harassing and illegal anti-semitic comments and conduct, including being thrown in a dumpster. The employees were deemed jointly employed by Conn-X, a Florida based company, and Administaff, the temporary staffing agency.
The result was not just a federal lawsuit and a significant monetary settlement, but the company was forced to enter into a consent decree that ensure that it alters its workplace environment to prevent any similar conduct from occuring in the future.
Sarelson Law Firm has experience in religious discrimination lawsuits and in crafting settlement agreements that provide both monetary and non-monetary relief.

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Lexus Sued for Denying Employment to a Turban-wearing Sikh

March 1st, 2010

According to a recently filed lawsuit in New Jersey, a Sikh-American who wears a Turban was denied employment as a sales representative with Tri-County Lexus in northern New Jersey. This blog has written repeatedly about companies with grooming or dress codes that prevent religious Sikhs, Jews and Muslims (and some Christians) from gaining employment. The lawsuit, filed in cooperation with the Washington, D.C.-based Sikh Coalition, was filed last week in the New Jersey Superior Court and was brought under state law only. The complaint is here:
Kherha v. Tri-County Lexus Lawsuit
Sarelson Law Firm is not involved in this matter but has represented three Sikhs denied similar employment.

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UPS Pays $46,000 and Makes Policy Changes to Settle Religious Discrimination Lawsuit

February 28th, 2010

600px-Flag_of_Jamaica_svg.pngMore proof that religious discrimination lawsuits are on the rise and that the EEOC is stepping up enforcement. Last week shipping giant UPS agreed to settle a claim brought by a Rastafarian who was terminated because he refused to cut off his religiously mandated dreadlocks and beard. UPS is paying the employee $46,000 and has agreed to enter into a two-year consent decree to prevent further discrimination and retaliation.
Successful lawsuits by Rastafarians are rare because frequently someone who wears dreads will falsly claim, in an effort to avoid complying with a corporate grooming standard, that he is a Rastafarian just to not be forced to cut his hair. Religious beliefs must be “genuine” in order to become protected under Title VII, and many employers are doubtful about a Rastafarian’s genuine religious belief. (In fact, the blog is unaware of any other successful Rastafarian Title VII claim – so, way to go EEOC).

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