Your faith should never be a barrier to professional growth or fair treatment at work. Sadly, many employees in New Jersey face discrimination due to their religious beliefs, practices, or appearance. Whether subtle or overt, religious discrimination in the workplace is illegal — and it’s more common than many people think.
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC is committed to standing up for workers who have experienced bias or unfair treatment because of their religion. We’re here to ensure your rights are protected and that employers are held accountable under New Jersey law.
What Is Religious Discrimination?
Religious discrimination occurs when an employer treats a job applicant or employee unfavorably because of their religious beliefs or practices. This can include:
- Refusing to hire or promote someone due to their religion
- Harassing someone for wearing religious garments (such as hijabs, turbans, or yarmulkes)
- Denying reasonable accommodations for religious observances or prayer breaks
- Retaliating against someone who reports religious discrimination
Discrimination can also occur when an employee is treated unfairly because they are associated with someone of a particular religion, or even if they are perceived to follow a religion they do not practice.
Your Legal Rights in New Jersey
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) offers broad protections for workers of all faiths. It requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for religious practices unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on business operations.
Under NJLAD, employees also have the right to work in an environment free from religious harassment. This includes protection from repeated jokes, slurs, or offensive remarks that create a hostile work environment.
What Does a “Reasonable Accommodation” Look Like?
A reasonable accommodation is a modification to work schedules, practices, or dress codes that allows an employee to observe their religion. Examples include:
- Adjusting schedules to allow observance of religious holidays or Sabbath days
- Permitting breaks for daily prayer or religious rituals
- Allowing religious attire even if it diverges from the company’s standard dress code
Employers are expected to engage in an interactive dialogue with employees to find a workable solution — not ignore or dismiss requests outright.
How to Respond to Religious Discrimination
If you’ve faced discrimination based on religion, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your legal rights:
- Document everything: Save emails, messages, and notes about conversations related to your religion and how you were treated.
- Report the issue internally: File a complaint with your HR department or supervisor, following your company’s policies.
- Contact an employment attorney: If the issue persists or you face retaliation, legal action may be necessary.
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC can assess your case, help gather the necessary evidence, and advocate on your behalf. We understand the emotional impact of religious discrimination and offer both legal strength and compassionate support throughout the process.
You Shouldn’t Have to Choose Between Faith and Work
Freedom of religion is a fundamental right. No one should be penalized at work for practicing their beliefs or requesting accommodations to honor their faith. Our legal team is here to ensure you are treated fairly, with the respect and dignity every employee deserves.
For more detailed guidance on this issue, visit our page on how to address religious discrimination at work.
Contact Us
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC
101 Eisenhower Pkwy #300
Roseland, NJ 07068
Phone: (973) 358-7027