Charlotte Religious Discrimination Lawyer

This country was founded upon the free exercise of religion, as stated in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. In the employment context, religious discrimination occurs when an employee is treated adversely by their employer because of their religion or when they are improperly denied a request for reasonable religious accommodation. 

At Strianese Huckert LLP, our Charlotte religious discrimination attorneys have more than 40 years of collective experience representing employees in North Carolina. If you or your family member was the victim of religious discrimination in the workplace, we can help. To set up a strictly confidential consultation with a top-rated North Carolina employment discrimination lawyer, please call our Charlotte law office today. 

Religious Discrimination: Understanding the Basics 

Under both federal and state law, employers are prohibited from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing, or in other terms and conditions of employment. At the federal level, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits religious discrimination in the workplace. The North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act also provides protections against religious discrimination. Religious discrimination can come in many different forms. Some notable examples include: 

• Denial of full or fair workplace opportunities;
• Religious-based harassment, including harassment from supervisors, co-workers, and customers;
• Discriminatory grooming or dress practices; and
• Refusal to make reasonable religious accommodation. 

Religious discrimination is complicated. As explained by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), it involves an applicant or employee being treated unfavorably because of their genuine religious beliefs. Harassment and other types of adverse treatment based on actual or perceived religious background should not occur. Additionally, employers are also required to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee or prospective employee, unless doing so would create an undue hardship or burden on the employer.

Religious Accommodations in the Workplace in North Carolina

Generally, employers may not schedule examinations or other selection activities in conflict with an employee’s religious needs, maintain a restrictive dress code, or refuse to allow the observance of the Sabbath or religious holiday, unless the employer can prove that doing otherwise would create an undue hardship. The requirement to accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs applies not only to schedule changes or leave for religious observances, but also to such things as dress or grooming practices that employees have for religious reasons.

Under state and federal law, accommodation is simply any adjustment to a workplace environment or workplace practices that makes it easier for a qualified employee to perform their job duties. Accommodations should be customized to address the specific situation. Covered employers have an obligation to try to provide reasonable accommodations for religious workers. The law requires employers to engage in good faith dialog to find a religious accommodation that works for both parties.  

Addressing the Undue Hardship Defense

As was mentioned, North Carolina companies and organizations are only required to provide accommodations that do not impose an “undue hardship” on their operations. What constitutes such an undue hardship depends entirely on the specific circumstances of the case. While employers often cry “undue hardship” in religious discrimination cases, it is important to fully probe and critically evaluate that defense. 

Generally, ordinary administrative costs or the minor inconvenience of scheduling changes will not constitute undue hardship or permit an employer to interfere with an employee’s right to be free of religious discrimination in the workplace. Our Charlotte, NC religious discrimination attorneys can help you take action to receive the reasonable accommodation that you are entitled to under the law. 

Why Hire the Charlotte Religious Discrimination Lawyers at Strianese Huckert

Oftentimes, religious discrimination claims are fact dependent and require the expertise of counsel who has experience with religious discrimination claims. If you have been the victim of religious discrimination, we encourage you to contact our Charlotte religious discrimination lawyers for help with your case. Our law firm is ready to get started immediately. Among other things, we will:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of your religious discrimination case;
• Answer questions and explain your rights under state and federal law; and
• Craft a personalized strategy designed to get you the best outcome possible. 

Call Our North Carolina Religious Discrimination Attorneys for Immediate Help

At Strianese Huckert LLP, our Charlotte employment lawyers have the skills, knowledge, and experience to effectively represent workers in religious discrimination claims. If you or your loved one was discriminated against based on religion or denied a religious accommodation, we can help. To set up a strictly confidential review of your religious discrimination claim, please complete our case evaluation form right away. With an office in Charlotte, we represent employees throughout the region, including in Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County, Union County, Gaston County, and Rowan County.