Hate crimes against Muslims have never been higher in the U.S. than now. Even in 2001 after the September 11th attack on the Twin Towers, hate crimes against Muslims were fewer, according to the Pew Research Center. Hate crimes are not always easy to prove, and only a fraction of hate crimes are even treated or reported as such. Under the Trump Administration, hate crimes and discrimination against Muslims will undoubtedly continue to rise, as the preliminary numbers for 2017 in many areas show. One of the most devastating ways in which Muslims are discriminated against is in the workplace. Illinois and federal laws protect people of all races and religions from harassment and other forms of discrimination at work, but the first step is up to you. Contact a Chicago employment attorney at the first sign of discrimination.
Unlawful Acts
The Illinois Human Rights Act, along with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), prohibit an employer from retaliating or discriminating against employees of any type of religion or faith, or lack of a religion. The nationalistic attack on Muslims that Donald Trump and others have embraced and emboldened has caused serious harm to Muslim families throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Examples of discriminating against a Muslim employee, or a person that an employer believes to be Muslim, include the following:
- Refusal to hire;
- Refusal to promote;
- Denying promotions and equal pay;
- Not allowing traditional clothing, such as hijabs. The EEOC also grants clothing freedom to other religions, such as the Sikh turban, the Christian cross, and the right for female employees to not wear pants or shirt skirts (Muslim, Pentecostal Christian, and Orthodox Jewish);
- Enforcing grooming practices that go against Islam, such as requiring beards to be shaved. Again, the EEOC grants similar rights to other religious groups, such as allowing Rastafarian dreadlocks and Sikh uncut beards and hair; and
- Much more, such as harassment, allowing harassment to happen in the workplace by not taking reasonable steps to stop it, or retaliating against the employee for filing a discrimination claim or asking for a reasonable accommodation to be made for their religious practices.
Call a Chicago Attorney Today
Unfortunately, discrimination against Muslim employees happens on a daily basis in Chicago, which hurts the Muslim community’s chances to make a living, receive promotions, work in peace, and to feel accepted by their coworkers. If you have been discriminated against in any way, you need to contact a Chicago employment lawyer with Goldman & Ehrlich today for help.