Religious Discrimination
Texas and federal law prohibit discrimination based on religion.
It includes ''all aspects of religious observances and practices as well as belief.'' It includes believers, atheists, and agnostics. It includes those who belong to an organized religion and those who do not
Religious discrimination is:
- Treating people in a different manner because of their religious beliefs, or observances, or practices
- Refusing to reasonably accommodate an employee's religious practices or observances.
The law protects not only people who belong to traditional organized religions, but also others who have sincerely held religious, ethical, or moral beliefs.
Examples of religious discrimination include:
- Refusing to hire an employee because they are a Seventh-Day Adventist
- Making fun of employees or telling them they are violating the company's dress code because they wear religious clothing such as yarmulkes, turbans, or hijabs (head scarves)
- Requiring an employee to work on their Sunday Sabbath, even though other employees are willing to trade shifts.
- Not accepting a day off request for Halloween from an employee who is a wiccan because that is not a traditional religion, but Good Friday request are allowed.
Lack of religious belief or practice is protected as well. A person cannot be discriminated against or harassed for being an atheist.