#LegalQuestion #ReligiousDiscrimination #EmployeeRights
Hey everyone! 🌟 I wanted to share a situation I’m going through and get your thoughts on it. I work as a staff accountant for a church in FL, and recently they included a new requirement in the handbook stating all employees must attend a church in line with the employer’s beliefs. Here are some key points to consider:
– When I was hired, my religious beliefs were not discussed or listed as a requirement.
– I am not a member of their religion and brought this issue up to my boss.
– The boss mentioned I was the only one affected by this policy.
– I am in a non-religious position with minimal religious responsibilities.
Now, my question is – is it legal for them to let me go based on my lack of religious beliefs, especially since it wasn’t a requirement when I was hired? What do you think?
Possible solution: Maybe reaching out to a legal professional specializing in employment law to understand your rights and options in this situation could be helpful. It’s important to know your rights and protect yourself.
Let’s discuss! Your input and insights are appreciated. 🧐 #EmploymentLaw #KnowYourRights #DiscussionTime
Unfortunately, they are generally permitted to give preferential treatment to members of ‘their’ church or adherents to their religion.
It’s nice of them to give you through the rest of 2024 to find another job, and a requirement like this is more or less “expected” nowadays at any religious organization or institution.
*Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru* does require at least some religious responsibility for a job to qualify for the ministerial exception. It might not be amiss to consult the EEOC.
How many people are employed there?
Just say you found jesus 😂
Yes. Religious institutions can require religious beliefs.
Quote from the EEOC website: Religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, or societies are exempt from the federal laws that EEOC enforces when it comes to the employment of individuals based on their particular religion. In other words, an employer whose purpose and character is primarily religious is permitted to lean towards hiring persons of the same religion. This exception relieves religious organizations only from the ban on employment discrimination based on religion.
[https://www.eeoc.gov/pre-employment-inquiries-and-religious-affiliation-or-beliefs](https://www.eeoc.gov/pre-employment-inquiries-and-religious-affiliation-or-beliefs)
Religious groups get very, very wide latitude under the 1st Amendment.
We give farrr to many concessions to the religious, but yes its legal. Ex wife went through the same issue with an old employer.
If all you’re doing there is bookkeeping, the position probably would not fall within the ministerial exception, so you can try talking to a lawyer