Both State and Federal law make it illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee on the basis of religion, race, or national origin. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act guarantees your right to:

1. Reasonable religious accommodation. The failure of an employer to reasonably accommodate your religious practices constitutes discrimination. “Religious practices” include wearing a beard, hijab, prayer on the job, and going to Jumah prayer.
2. Fairness in hiring, firing, and promotions. Your employer is prohibited from considering religion when making decisions affecting your employment status.
3. A non-hostile work environment. Your employer must ensure that you are not subjected to anti-Muslim insults, harassment or unwelcome, excessive proselytizing.
4. Complain about discrimination without fear of retaliation. Federal law guarantees your right to report an act of alleged discrimination. It is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for your complaint.

1) Remain calm

2) Inform the offending party that you believe his/her actions are discriminatory.

3) Report the discriminatory action in writing to company management.

4) Begin documenting the discrimination by saving memos, keeping a detailed journal, noting the presence of witnesses, and making written complaints (keep copies). Create a “paper trail.”

5) Contact our attorneys at the first sign of a problem.  Don’t wait until you have been fired.  We can help you file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and/or file a complaint in court.

6) DO NOT sign any documents or resign without an attorney’s advice.

8) Ask to be transferred to another department or job site.

9) Request mediation.

10)  Make sure to file an incident report on our website if you believe you are being discriminated against in the workplace.

CAIR-Ohio has successfully resolved hundreds of employment discrimination cases over the years.  Some of these cases get resolved through mediation with the employer while others have to go to court.  Here are some examples of past cases:

1. We obtained a settlement in federal court for a Muslim women who was fired from her job at a hospital for wearing a niqab (face veil)
2. We obtained a settlement in a federal court case for a Muslim woman who was subjected to differential treatment and harassment by her supervisors at a major national bank
3. We obtained back wages through the National Labor Relations Board for a group of 18 Muslims who were wrongfully terminated for praying at work at a local warehouse