Maryland employers are generally not allowed to make employment decisions based primarily on a worker’s religious beliefs. For example, your employer may be violating employment laws if it disciplined you for taking Sunday mornings off to go to church. You may also be a victim of religious discrimination if you’re not allowed to grow a beard or wear a long dress in accordance with your faith.
How do you combat religious discrimination in the workplace?
It’s important to understand that your boss may unintentionally take actions that violate the law. Therefore, it may be a good idea to have a conversation with your supervisor so that you can convey any concerns that you might have. If this is not enough to resolve a workplace issue, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
What happens if you file a complaint with the EEOC?
An investigation will take place in an effort to determine if your claim is legitimate. If it is deemed to be one, the EEOC will enter into talks to resolve the matter outside of court. In the event that talks fail, your employer will face formal litigation. Assuming that a judge agrees with the claims against the defendant, you may be entitled to compensation, reinstatement or other forms of relief as appropriate.
What if your claim isn’t substantiated?
If your claim isn’t substantiated, you may still have the ability to take legal action on your own. It’s also possible that your employer will voluntarily agree to alter its policies to address your concerns and to minimize the risk of future claims being made.
Those who face discrimination at work may fail to advance in their careers or perform to the best of their abilities in their current roles. If you are harassed at work, it may result in increased absenteeism, mental health issues and other negative consequences. Taking legal action against your employer may help hold it accountable for what has happened to you.