Employees

Workplace-related complaints have been CAIR-NJ’s largest complaint category for many recent years. NJ & Federal law makes 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: 

• Reasonable religious accommodation: The failure of an employer to reasonably accommodate your religious practices may constitute employment discrimination. ‘Religious practices’ include wearing a beard, prayer breaks, hijab and going to Jummah (Friday) prayers. 
• Fairness in hiring, firing, and promotions: Your employer is prohibited from considering religion when making decisions affecting your employment status. 
• A non-hostile work environment: Your employer must ensure that you are not subjected to anti-Muslim insults, harassment or unwelcome and excessive proselytizing. 
• Complain about discrimination without fear of retaliation: Federal law guarantees your right to report an act of alleged employment discrimination. It is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for your complaint. 

New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD): New Jersey law provides broader protections than federal law in several respects. It protects against discrimination based on religion/creed, race, national origin, and ancestry, including actual or perceived characteristics, and applies to a wide range of employers. NJLAD also expressly requires reasonable religious accommodations unless they would create an undue hardship. Employees may seek remedies through the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, including monetary damages.

When Facing Discrimination on the Job: 

• Remain calm and polite. 
• Inform the offending party that you believe his/her actions are discriminatory. 
• Report the discriminatory action in writing to company management. 
• Begin documenting the discrimination by saving memos, keeping a detailed journal, noting the presence of witnesses and making written complaints. Make sure to keep copies of all materials. It is important to keep a “paper trail” of evidence. 
• Call the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at 800-669-4000 or local county or state civil rights agencies to educate yourself about legal options. 
• Contact a local attorney who is licensed to practice in your state to discuss your case. 
• DO NOT sign any documents or resign without an attorney’s advice. 
• Ask to be transferred to another department or job site. 
• Ask for mediation. 
• Contact CAIR-NJ to file a report. 
• Consider beginning to look for a new job. Note: voluntary resignation negatively impacts viability claims.