New York City Religious Discrimination Lawyers

We Represent Employees in Religious Discrimination Claims in New York City

At Carey & Associates, P.C., our New York City religious discrimination attorneys are committed to advocating for justice and the best solution for our clients. Our team provides the knowledge and leadership that clients can rely on even in complex cases. If you or your loved one was the victim of religious discrimination in the workplace, we are here to help. Contact us today for a fully confidential consultation with a top New York employment lawyer. 

An Overview of Religious Discrimination Laws that Protect Workers in New York City

Broadly defined, religious discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfavorably because of their religious beliefs, practices, or lack thereof. Here is an overview of the laws that protect workers against religious-based discrimination in New York City: 

• Local Law: The New York City Human Rights Law is a local law that bars employers from engaging in religious discrimination. For religious discrimination cases, the law applies to all employers with four or more employees, including part-time workers. 
• State Law: The New York State Human Rights Law bars religious discrimination in the workplace. The law applies to all employers in New York—regardless of the number of employees. 
• Federal Law: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the federal law that bars employment discrimination, including religious discrimination. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees. 

How to Prove Religious Discrimination in the Workplace

Proving religious discrimination in the workplace requires demonstrating that an employer took adverse action against an employee because of their religious beliefs or their religious practices. As with any other type of employment law case, evidence is key to a successful claim. Here are key things that employees in New York City must be prepared to show:

• Protected Class: First and foremost, the employee must show that they hold a sincere religious belief or were engaged in a sincere religious practice that is protected under the law. The law protects both traditional religious beliefs and lesser-known faiths.
• Adverse Employment Action: The employee must prove that they faced negative treatment, such as termination, demotion, refusal to hire, harassment, or the denial of religious accommodations.
• Causation: Next, the adverse action was motivated by their religious belief, observance, or request for accommodation. It is not sufficient to prove that you are religious and that you faced unfavorable employment action. 

Employment Law: Understanding Religious Accommodations

A religious worker may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation by an employer for their sincerely-held, good faith religious worship. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), a business or organization may be required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious beliefs and practices—unless doing so causes an undue hardship on business operations. Some of the most common examples of religious accommodations include: 

• Flexible scheduling; 
• Dress code exceptions; and
• Additional time for prayer breaks.

In New York City, employers must engage in an interactive process to determine the feasibility of a religious accommodation. With that being said, it is important to emphasize that employers cannot force employees to compromise their religious practices unless accommodating them significantly disrupts operations to the point that it would impose an undue hardship on the company. 

How Our New York City Religious Discrimination Can Help 

Religious discrimination claims are complicated. Our founding attorney Mark Carey has built a team of employment lawyers who help clients find solutions. We are private coaches who provide reliable leadership. Our client testimonials tell the story. Along with other things, our New York City religious discrimination attorneys can: 

• Hear what you have to say and answer questions about the relevant law;
• Conduct a comprehensive investigation of your religious discrimination case; 
• Represent you in any settlement negotiations with your employer; and
• Take any necessary legal action to help you get justice and the best outcome. 

Contact Our New York City Religious Discrimination Attorney Today

At Carey & Associates, P.C., our New York City religious discrimination lawyers are standing by, ready to advocate for your rights. If you have any specific questions or concerns about religious discrimination claims, we are here to help. Call us at (914) 705-5427 or contact us online to arrange your fully private, no-obligation initial case review. We handle religious discrimination cases throughout New York City, including in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island.