What Is The California Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012?

Does California Have A Religious Freedom Act?

Religious doctrine or creed, religion, religious observance, religious belief, and creed have all been defined under the California Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012 to include all facets of religious belief and observance (including religious dress and grooming customs).

Wearing religious clothing, head or face coverings, jewelry, antiquities, or any other object that is a component of a religious observance is considered "religious dress practices." In addition, all types of head, beard, and body hair that are a component of a religious doctrine are considered "religious grooming practices."

That said, let's talk about religion in the workplace and your employment rights, as experienced by our prescreened Workplace Discrimination Lawyers in California:

What Is Considered Religious Discrimination In The Workplace In California?

California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) define religion as all traditionally recognized religions and any beliefs, observations, or practices that have a similar status in the employee's life to that of traditionally recognized religions.

Aside from the California Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012 (WRFA), the Civil Rights Act forbids companies, work superiors, and bosses from discriminating against applicants or employees based on their religious affiliation or lack thereof. In addition, any terms and conditions of employment that are based on religious conviction are also prohibited by Title VII.

For example, according to this legislation, assigning a worker to a non-customer interaction role because of a feared customer preference is also against the law. Contact a California Workplace Discrimination Lawyer ASAP if you've experienced (or suspect) religious discrimination in the workplace.

What Are Examples Of Religious Discrimination In California?

Here are a few of the most common instances of religious discrimination in the workplace:

• Letting go of a worker due to their faith.

• Deciding against hiring a candidate because of their religion.

• Refusing to train or advance a worker on account of their religion.

• Reducing a worker's pay because of their religion.

That said, not all religious discrimination cases in California are the same. For example, your employer could be discriminating, harassing, or treating you in ways that aren't obvious. The best way to know you have a potential claim is to consult a prescreened California Workplace Discrimination Lawyer.

Can My Employer Fire Me For My Religious Beliefs In California?

No. Firing a worker or employee for their religious beliefs is illegal. If you've experienced this, you'll be eligible for a wrongful termination claim in California.

That said, no employer will admit to firing you for your religious beliefs. Instead, they will say it's something else, like poor performance or attendance.

Hence, you must find evidence to support your claim. You and your employment lawyer could do this in various ways, like presenting your employment documents, showing correspondence through emails and text, and finding witness testimonies to support your case.

Your prescreened California Workplace Discrimination Lawyer can do their own investigation, compile evidence, approach the appropriate agencies, and make sure you beat crucial legal deadlines.

Is Religion A Protected Class In California?

Protected classes are attributes that cannot be used as reasons to make employment decisions. For example, since religious beliefs is a protected attribute, it cannot be a reason for your employer to fire you or cut your pay in California.

Here's a list of protected classes under California labor law:

• Disability discrimination

• Pregnancy discrimination

• Marital status discrimination

• Sexual harassment in the workplace

• FMLA discrimination

• LGTBQ discrimination

• Religious beliefs discrimination

• Age discrimination

• Race discrimination

• Gender discrimination

• Whistleblower retaliation

• Discrimination based on genetic information

• National origin discrimination

If you've experienced discrimination, harassment, or any adverse employment action because of your protected attribute, you should contact a California Workplace Discrimination Lawyer immediately.

Hire A Prescreened California Workplace Discrimination Lawyer Near Me

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