Woman claims religious discrimination led to her termination

Los Angeles, California employees have the right to go to work and be free from discrimination. Under federal employment laws, employers cannot participate in or condone discrimination based on a person’s religion, national origin, race, gender or disability. If an employer learns about this type of discrimination in the workplace, the employer should work to stop the conduct. Furthermore, an employer is barred from retaliating against an employee that complains about illegal discrimination at work.

Recently, a California employee has brought suit against her former employer alleging workplace discrimination. The woman worked in a supervisory role in the collections department at Kaiser in Pasadena. She claims that for years she suffered discrimination as a result of her national origin and religion. She says that many of her subordinates would make comments, jokes and other inappropriate statements and gestures about the woman. The woman is a Muslim of Palestinian decent.

The woman claims that she complained to her supervisors about the conduct that was occurring with her co-workers on several occasions. However, the woman says the conduct continued.

Eventually, the woman was accused of making errors in timekeeping by her superiors. She was given a three day suspension from work, before being terminated altogether. The woman claims that errors were not made but explanations had been recorded.

The woman has sued alleging religious discrimination, national origin discrimination, racial discrimination and other various employment law charges. She is asking for a variety of damages.

California workers, like this woman, should not be afraid to complain about illegal discrimination. Instead, they should understand their rights and protect themselves against illegal treatment. Compensation could be available when employers fail to act to prevent workplace discrimination.

Source: Courthouse News Service, “Muslim Fired by Kaiser Claims Discrimination,” Barbara Wallace, May 17, 2014

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