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Religious Discrimination

Religious Discrimination

Protection from religious discrimination

Freedom of religion is one of the founding principles in the United States. And while the Constitution says that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion, it took until 1964 for the law to prohibit religious discrimination by private employers. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act makes it illegal for most employers in interstate commerce to discriminate against applicants and employees based on race, color, national origin, gender or religion. As with other types of workplace discrimination, similar state laws have extended comparable protections to workers at smaller companies.

In addition to prohibiting direct and indirect discrimination, Title VII and Arkansas religious discrimination laws also impose an affirmative duty upon employers to make reasonable accommodations to the religious practices of their employees and applicants:

  • Flexible scheduling
  • Voluntary shift swaps
  • Job reassignment
  • Modifications to policies
  • Leave for religious observances
  • Reasonable and safe modification of dress codes and grooming policies

This type of reasonable accommodation can be a major point of contention for employers, who may argue that it presents an undue burden on operations or a safety hazard. It takes an attorney with knowledge of religious discrimination laws in Arkansas to intelligently confront these arguments, force employers to honor their legal obligations and to protect workers from retaliation for asserting their rights.

Promoting religious freedom in the workplace

Unfortunately, religious discrimination is still common in this country. Some is caused by hate and fear. But more often, employers simply do not want to be bothered accommodating an employee’s religious practices. But whatever the case may be, religious discrimination in the workplace is intolerable and illegal in most circumstances. The Sanford Law Firm understands the important role religion plays in many people’s lives and how difficult it can be when an employer essentially makes you choose between your faith and your livelihood. Our Arkansas religious discrimination law attorneys aggressively pursue justice on behalf of our persecuted clients.

We are committed to religious freedom in the workplace

No one should have to choose between their faith and their livelihood. And for more than 10 years the Sanford Law Firm has been fighting for workers who find themselves it that very situation. With offices in Little Rock and Russellville, we serve workers throughout Arkansas. But we are also ready and willing to work in other states — wherever workers need a strong and principled advocate. Call our Little Rock office at 501-476-6251 or toll free at or contact us online to schedule a consultation regarding your employment issue.

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Our Offices
  • Little Rock Office
    10800 Financial Centre Parkway
    Suite 510
    Little Rock, Arkansas 72211
    Phone: 501-221-0088
    Fax: 888-787-2040
  • San Antonio Office
    18756 Stone Oak Paekway
    Suite 200, Room 201
    San Antonio, Texas 78258
    Phone: 210-596-4250
    Fax: 888-787-2040
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