Hollywood Religious Discrimination Lawyer Upholds Freedom of Worship

Determined employment lawyer fights for Florida workers of all faiths

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits Congress from enacting any law that infringes on the free exercise of religion, and that prohibition was later applied to the states. However, despite our founders’ intention to establish religious liberty, religious minorities have suffered persecution at various times throughout our country’s history. As a result, new laws were enacted with additional protections, including protections against discrimination in the workplace. If you have been the victim of religious discrimination by your employer, the Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. in Hollywood can help. For almost two decades, I have fought to protect workers at all levels from unlawful discrimination. If you want a tireless advocate who is determined to deliver justice, I am only a phone call away.

Examples of religious discrimination in Florida employment

Religious discrimination in the workplace takes many forms, such as:

• Refusing to hire, promote or offer equal pay to a member of a certain religion
• Creating a hostile work environment targeting workers on the basis of religion
• Segregating workers based on religious belief or practices, which may include keeping members of a particular religion from client-facing positions
• Refusing to offer reasonable accommodations for religious observances
• Refusing to offer reasonable accommodations for religious dress or grooming

If you have been confronted with any of this type of contact, you may have a case of religious discrimination.

Religious discrimination protections under federal law

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects workers from religious discrimination and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for religious practices. The law may cover conduct if these conditions are met:

• The business has at least 20 employees.
• The worker is a member of an established religion or has sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs.
• The worker receives unequal treatment because of his or her religious beliefs or is denied a reasonable accommodation that infringes on his or her right to observe those beliefs.

When these conditions are met, the worker should file a claim of religious discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If the EEOC does not resolve the complaint satisfactorily, the worker has the option to bring suit in federal court. Under Title VII, a worker is entitled to:

• Economic damages, such as back pay
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Court orders ending the discriminatory practice, which could extend to reinstatement if an employee was wrongly terminated
• Punitive damages in cases of egregious employer conduct

Complaints of religious discrimination can be difficult to prove. You should immediately consult a reputable employment law attorney who can evaluate your case and explain your rights to you.

Religious discrimination under Florida law

The Florida Civil Rights Act mimics Title VII in many ways, but there are two important distinctions. The FCRA allows you a full year from the date of the discriminatory incident to file a claim, whereas Title VII complaints must be filed within 180 days. Additionally, the FCRA applies to companies with at least 15 employees, not 20. So, if the company is too small to fall under Title VII, you can still pursue your rights with a claim under the FCRA.

Contact my Hollywood office for a free consultation on religious discrimination

The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. provides employment law representation for workers who have faced religious discrimination in the Hollywood area. To schedule a free consultation, call 954-780-8505 or contact my office online. My Hollywood office is conveniently located at 6100 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 211, between Florida’s Turnpike and South State Road 7.