Who Defines Religious Creed? Am I protected at Work?

During Governor Brown’s second term he passed AB 1964, the purpose of which was to make an amendment to the already existing law section 12926, also known as California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act or FEHA.

The original CA Government Code was put in place to protect those seeking or having employment and housing in the state from any type of discrimination based upon defined factors. These protected classes were defined as:
-age
-ethnicity
-national origin
-mental or physical disabilities
-medical conditions
-genetic information
-marital status
-sexual orientation
-gender identification and gender expression

In January of last year the new bill added “religious creed” to this list. Part of the bill protects a person’s choice in grooming and wardrobe based on religious beliefs.

So what does this really mean?

If you have been told by an employer that you cannot wear a specific item of clothing that is mandatory for your religion, or told you must shave, etc, you may have a case for discrimination at work.

The “Religious dress practice,” is rather broad and will include “wearing or carrying of religious clothing, head or face covering, jewelry, artifacts, and any other item that is part of the observance by an individual of his or her religious creed.” In addition, religious grooming practice covers any type of facial, head or body hair that would be an observance of the individual’s religion.

Under the new AB 1964, any employer is required, where it does not create an undue hardship, to make reasonable accommodations to all employees according to their religious creed. The law does not require an employer to accommodate requests from employees demanding to be separated from other employees for any reason as it does not consider this a reasonable request.

If you have been discriminated against based on your religious beliefs, or any other reason listed above, United Employees Law Group is here to help sort out your rights. Call TODAY.  We will give your case a free and confidential review.