In a landmark ruling, the US Supreme Court redefines the standard for Title VII lawsuits, stating “some harm” is sufficient. Details in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis.
The Supreme Court ruled in Groff v. Dejoy that Title VII requires employers to show substantial costs before denying a religious accommodation. This clarifies existing obligations and provides consistent guidance to lower courts. Founders’ First Freedom supported this clarification.
In June, a Florida Seventh-day Adventist school that received state and federal funding fired a teacher because of his sexual orientation.
It is debatable whether a claim by a public school football coach that he is compelled by religious belief to pray at the 50-yard line following each game is a good vehicle for addressing either free exercise or workplace religious accommodation. However, it does appear that the four justices who signed onto Alito’s response have concerns about the chilling effect of Hardison and Smith on the ability to even raise Title VII religious accommodation and Free Exercise Clause claims. With Patterson v. Walgreen Co., the Supreme Court has the opportunity to revisit religious accommodation claims under Title VII.
By Michael Peabody – On Monday, June 24, 2013 the U.S. Supreme Court issued two 5-4 decisions that will make it more difficult for plaintiffs to prove that their employers violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII is the federal law designed to protect employees from discrimination on the basis of factors such as race, sex, and religion.
On December 17, 2012 Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced “The Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2013” (S.3686) which would Amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of religion specifically in the areas of “garb, grooming, and scheduling.”
SALEM, OREGON – On April 9, 2009, the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act (SB 786). House Speaker Dave Hunt, Bureau of Labor […]
April 9, 2009 Senator Floyd Prozanski, Chair Senate Judiciary Committee Oregon State Legislature 900 Court Street NE S-417 Salem, Oregon 97301 RE: SB 786 – Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom […]
April 9, 2009 Senate Judiciary Committee Oregon State Legislature Salem, Oregon RE: SB 786 – Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act (SUPPORT) Mr. Chairman and Members, Thank […]