Ozarks Electric, an electric cooperative, has been ordered to pay $95,000 to a former employee settle a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The EEOC’s suit claims that Ozarks Electric denied the employee a requested day off to attend a Jehovah’s Witness convention and then wrongfully terminated her when she chose to attend the convention rather than report to work. Religious discrimination violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In addition to the monetary relief, Ozarks Electric must modify its leave policy to include an appeals process for employees who believe they are being unfairly denied religious accommodations; provide anti-religious discrimination training to its personnel; and post a notice reinforcing the company’s policies on Title VII and its procedures for reporting and preventing discrimination in the workplace.
If you have been wrongfully terminated or suffered discrimination, please give Los Angeles Employment Attorney, Todd M. Friedman a call at 877-449-8898 for a free consultation.
