Boston Religious Discrimination Attorneys
Fighting For Those Who Are Facing Discrimination Based on Their Religion in Massachusetts
At Davis & Davis, P.C., we are dedicated to fighting against religious discrimination in the workplace. Our experienced Boston religious discrimination attorneys at understand the legal complexities involved in these types of cases and are committed to protecting the rights of employees who have been unfairly discriminated against because of their religion.
To schedule a consultation with our Boston religious discrimination lawyers today, call us at (978) 228-2262.
Religious Discrimination in the Workplace
Religious discrimination can take many forms in the workplace, including:
- Refusal to hire someone because of their religion
- Termination of employment because of religion
- Harassment or bullying because of religion
- Denial of promotions or other job opportunities because of religion
- Failure to provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices
These actions are not only unfair and discriminatory, but they are also illegal under state and federal employment laws. If you have experienced any of these types of discrimination in the workplace, it is important to seek the guidance of our legal team.
In a successful workplace discrimination case, several types of damages can be recovered. Compensatory damages are awarded to compensate for the discrimination victim's emotional distress, pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life. Back pay includes wages, benefits, and other compensation you would have earned from the time of the discriminatory act to the resolution of the case. Front pay compensates for future lost wages from the time of the resolution forward, if you are unable to secure a similar position.
Courts may also award punitive damages in cases where the employer's actions were especially malicious or reckless. In some instances, you may also receive out-of-pocket expenses for costs directly resulting from the discriminatory act, such as job search or medical expenses.
What Proof Do I Need in a Religious Discrimination Claim?
In order to file a successful religious discrimination claim, there are specific elements that need to be proven:
- Your Religious Beliefs Are Sincerely Held: The first step in a religious discrimination claim is demonstrating that your religious beliefs are sincere. This doesn’t necessarily mean you must follow every practice of an established religion. The law also protects personal, nontraditional, and even less common beliefs. Courts generally take a broad view, accepting a wide range of sincere religious practices, so long as they are genuinely important to you.
- You Were Qualified for the Job or Performing Your Job Adequately: You must be able to show that you were qualified for your position or performing your job duties adequately. If your employer took negative action against you based on performance issues, they may attempt to use that as a defense. However, if your job performance was sufficient, and you were still subjected to discriminatory treatment, this strengthens your case.
- Your Employer Took Adverse Action Against You: Adverse actions can include being fired, demoted, denied a promotion, or reassigned to a less favorable position because of your religious beliefs. You must be able to show that the negative treatment was directly related to your religion. This can often be demonstrated through timing (such as a demotion right after requesting time off for religious observances) or discriminatory remarks made by supervisors or colleagues.
- Other Employees Were Treated More Favorably: If other employees who do not share your religious beliefs were treated more favorably in similar situations, this can be a powerful piece of evidence. For example, if other employees were granted time off for personal reasons, but your request for a religious accommodation was denied, it may show unequal treatment.
- Your Employer Refused to Provide a Reasonable Accommodation: If you requested a reasonable accommodation for your religious practices (such as modifying your work schedule to observe a Sabbath or allowing you to wear religious clothing), and your employer refused without justification, this can form the basis of a claim. Employers are required to provide accommodations unless they can prove that it would cause an undue hardship, which is a high threshold.
Contact Our Boston Religious Discrimination Lawyers
At Davis & Davis, P.C.., we have a deep understanding of the laws surrounding religious discrimination in the workplace. Our religious discrimination attorneys in Boston will work tirelessly to investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a strong legal argument in your favor. We will fight for your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation and justice that you deserve.
Other Discrimination Cases We Can Help With:
If you have experienced religious discrimination in the workplace, don't hesitate to contact our Boston religious discrimination attorneys today. Call us at (978) 228-2262 to schedule a consultation today! We look forward to hearing from you.