EEOC Sues Company for Religious Discrimination Over Head Covering

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Religious discrimination continues to be a hot topic for employers.  As savvy HR professionals know, an important religious discrimination case will be heard in the United States Supreme Court this term involving the EEOC's suit against a company over the duty to make accommodations to dress and appearance policies.  On January 13, 2015, the EEOC announced that it has filed a new religious discrimination suit against Triangle Catering, LLC in the Eastern District of North Carolina.  The EEOC's complaint alleges that the company employed a Rastafarian, who wore a small cap as part of his religious practices.  When the employee refused to remove the cap while working, the complaint claims the employee was fired.  While we watch these cases play out this year, these EEOC enforcement actions underscore the value of businesses taking the time to review their policies--and their practices--on the accommodation of religious beliefs and expression in the workplace.

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