What is Religious Discrimination?
The California Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion. It is more protective than federal law and it requires employers to accommodate the employees religious practices in the workplace, which includes religious dress and grooming practices. This law is designed to protect employees of most all religious beliefs as long as the beliefs are “sincerely held” by the worker.
Common examples of religious discrimination:
- Hiring practices
- Wages & compensation
- Job duties & promotions
- Discipline & termination
- Holiday observation
- Religious harassment
- “Religious dress practice” includes wearing or carrying religious clothing, head or face coverings, jewelry, artifacts and any other item that is part of a religious observance
- “Religious grooming practice” includes all forms of head, facial and body hair that are part of a religious creed