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Religious Discrimination Employment Article
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How Effective are Employment Discrimination Laws?
from:In 1963, a first and vital step toward establishing employment discrimination laws took effect in the form of the EPA. The EPA is the Equal Pay Act of 1963 that sought to rectify the gaping wage differences between working adult women and men. Today, there has been some improvement, but women still see only 77 cents to every dollar that the average American male earns.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 added to the arsenal of employment discrimination laws as an effort to prevent hiring on the basis on race, gender, religious affiliation, or national heritage. These fall under “protected categories” and if violated, the employer can face severe monetary penalties and class-action lawsuits.
The American with Disabilities act was an added entree to the employment discrimination laws platter, providing protection for those with disabilities from receiving harassment or discrimination.
Employment discrimination laws are meant to prevent disparate treatment among employees and prospective hires. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 intended to further fortify the original Title VII amendment by eliminating the claim of “business necessity” in intentional discrimination acts, clarified disparate acts, and provided for damages to those who suffered employment discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national heritage, and disabilities.
Proponents of Affirmative Action advocate that this practice enables a more diverse and equitable workforce. In some countries, however, affirmative action is illegal as it serves to highlight racial backgrounds and thus promote more racism. Opponents in this country argue that affirmative action only adds to invidious hiring practices, impose limits on the freedom of choice, and sets up racial groups against one another. Richard Epstein elucidates this contention in his book Forbidden Grounds.
Family and medical leave is also protected under employment discrimination laws, and one case shows that an employer’s irreverence toward this law costs some big bucks. When a former broker for Merrill Lynch filed suit against the agency for wrongful termination, Merrill Lynch set out to make a settlement agreement. The broker was terminated while on leave, and could very well have garnered a six to seven figure reward for this kind of employment discrimination.
But the inequality is equally expressed when it comes time for paternal leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 mandates that employers provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave for employees who must take care of children or sick family members, but often this extension applies more readily to female workers than men. Another case of discrimination arises in these cases when it appears evident that social expectations cater to women leaving work to care for children, but scoffs at male workers who petition for paternal leave.
Heavy fines ensue for employers, who disobey employment discrimination laws, but the fact alone remains that as long as these acts are necessary, our society has a long way to go to eradicate discrimination. In some cases, it may actually promote it. Only time will tell how well we achieve equilibrium and equality in employment trends.
Religious Discrimination Employment News
Woman sues Orthodox-owned lingerie company for sexual discrimination - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
 msnbc.com | Woman sues Orthodox-owned lingerie company for sexual discrimination Jewish Telegraphic Agency ... New Jersey woman has filed suit against an Orthodox-owned lingerie company, claiming religious and sexual discrimination. Laura Odes, a former data entry worker, was fired from wholesale lingerie company Native Intimates after a week of employment. Fired for being "too hot" Employee 'too hot' for lingerie warehouse New Jersey Woman Says She Was Fired For Being Too Busty |
Jewish man sues employer alleging religious discrimination - Southeast Texas Record
 Southeast Texas Record | Jewish man sues employer alleging religious discrimination Southeast Texas Record He claims that during his employment, various employees made discriminatory remarks about his race and religion. For example, a secretary alleged stated that Reichstein was treating her like a Hebrew slave. When he complained about the remarks, ... |
Council, supporters talk anti-gay discrimination amendment - WJXT Jacksonville
Council, supporters talk anti-gay discrimination amendment WJXT Jacksonville Currently, it's not against the law to discriminate against homosexuals when it comes to employment, housing and public services. A public hearing was being held Tuesday at City Hall to discuss the amendment. At it, more than 100 gays, lesbians and ... |
Union Bosses Set Forest Fire Captain's Religious Rights Ablaze - National Right to Work Foundation (blog)
Union Bosses Set Forest Fire Captain's Religious Rights Ablaze National Right to Work Foundation (blog) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act forbids discrimination against religious employees and requires companies and unions to attempt to reasonably accommodate employees' sincerely-held religious beliefs. The obligation to accommodate applies to the ... |
Former AT&T Employee Wins Huge Verdict in Religious Discrimination Case - Billing World
 The Inquisitr | Former AT&T Employee Wins Huge Verdict in Religious Discrimination Case Billing World A jury in Missouri has awarded $5 million in punitive damages against Southwestern Bell/AT&T after a former employee claimed she endured religious discrimination for years after converting to Islam. The award appears to be the largest jury verdict for ... Muslim woman gets huge award in workplace discrimination case AT&T To Pay Muslim Woman $5 Million For Religious Discrimination Muslim woman wins $5 million in punitive damages from AT&T in workplace ... |