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Attorney Top Answers On Religious Discrimination: Can I Be Fired For Facial Hair?

On Behalf of | Feb 5, 2014 | Religious Discrimination |

Religious Discrimination Lawyer Top Answer: Can my boss fire me if my religion does not allow me to shave? Can my job force me to shave my beard against my religious beliefs? What should I do if I’m being discriminated on based on my religion?

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Sometimes employers put in policies that make sense and do not do so with the intent to discriminate based on religion. However, many unlawful religious discrimination cases come about when the boss that is enforcing the policy does so blindly without willing to give any accommodation based on an employee’s religious beliefs. But, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Ohio Unlawful Discriminatory Practice Statute, R.C. § 4112.02 require bosses to reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs or practices.

Let’s take the religious discrimination lawsuit filed by Gurpreet Kherha, against United Galaxy Inc., a car dealership in Little Falls, New Jersey doing business as Tri-County Lexus. The dealership has a no facial hair policy, which on its face is not a problem. So the answer to the question, “can I be fired for refusing to shave my beard?” is yes … Except when the beard is based on sincere religious beliefs. In this case, Kherha is a member of the Sikh faith, whose religious tenets require him to wear a beard, uncut hair and a turban. He apparently applied for and was offered a sales associate position on the condition that he shave his beard. When Kherha cited his religious beliefs as a basis for keeping his beard, the car dealership pulled the offer instead of providing an accommodation, according to a subsequently filed religious discrimination lawsuit.

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To resolve the religious discrimination lawsuit, the car dealership paid $50,000 to Kherha and agreed to provide other consideration.

If you feel that you are being discriminated or harassed based on your religion or religious beliefs, the best course of action you can take is to call the right attorney at 866-797-6040 to schedule a free and confidential consultation. At Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm, you will meet with a religious discrimination attorney, who will be able to tell you what your legal rights are and the best way to protect them.

Disclaimer:

The materials available at the top of this religious discrimination blog and at this employment law website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. If you are still asking, “How do I …”, “What should I do …,” “Can my boss discriminate against me because I’m (Jewish/Muslim/Mormon/Hindu)?” or “I was fired for my religious beliefs. What can I do?”, it would be best for to contact an Ohio attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular religious discrimination or other employment law issue or problem. Use and access to this employment law website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The legal opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual lawyer and may not reflect the opinions of Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm, Brian Spitz, or any individual attorney.

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