Religious discrimination charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have risen substantially in recent years. The EEOC reports that in fiscal year 1997, it received 1,709 charges of religious discrimination—a number that more than doubled by fiscal year 2013 to 3,721. In response to the growing number of allegations, the EEOC has released a new guide and fact sheet that attempt to clarify how employers should respond to requests for accommodation and avoid religious discrimination in the workplace.
“Religious Garb and Grooming in the Workplace: Rights and Responsibilities” and the corresponding fact sheet explain that in most cases, for employers with at least 15 employees, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects the employee or job applicant’s right to observe their religion through dress and grooming. Title VII also protects employees from harassment based on their religious attire and grooming and outlaws retaliation if they file a complaint with the EEOC.
