A Muslim flight attendant has filed a complaint for discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission stating that her employer ExpressJet, declined to accommodate her refusal to serve alcohol on her flights due to her religion.  The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is a federal agency set up to administer and enforce discrimination laws against an employee or job applicant because of the person’s color, race, sex, religion (including pregnancy), disability, national origin, age (40 or older), or genetic information.

Charee Stanley, 40 would like nothing more than to do her job, but to so while conforming to her Islamic faith.

Stanley had previously been employed with the airline for three years but only decided to convert to her religion two years ago.  It wasn’t until recently that she found out, not only does her faith permit her from drinking alcohol but it also permits her from serving it.  She discussed her concerns with her supervisor at her job and was told to work it out with fellow flight attendants that were on duty as the same flight as her.

Stanley says the arrangements with other flight attendants worked well for some time.  When alcohol was requested, one of her coworkers would accommodate Stanley’s customer by serving the alcohol.  All went well until a fellow flight attendant filed a complaint against Stanley stating “she was not fulfilling her job duties since she refused to serve alcohol.” The same attendant also stated that Stanley had a book with “foreign writings” and wore a headdress. A further investigation into that complaint prompted the airline to immediately cease the accommodations.  They sent a letter to Stanley and put her on an unpaid leave; in addition, advising her that she could be terminated after 12 months.

Stanley’s attorney Lena Masri says “No one should have to choose between their career and religion. We are requesting that her employment be reinstated and the accommodation of her religious beliefs be reinstated as well.”

Workplace Race Discrimination Attorney in New York, New Jersey & Pennsylvania

If you or someone you know has been experiencing racial discrimination at work, then you should immediately contact an NYC employment discrimination attorney at the employment law firm of DEREK T. SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC to find out your rights.  No one should be subjected to having to work in a hostile job environment. Discrimination is illegal.  You have every right to want justice.  Our attorneys will fight for justice on your behalf.

Call today and schedule your FREE Consultation in NY, NJ & PA with one of our discrimination attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami. you can reach us online or by calling 877-469-5297.  Our NYC employment law attorneys are passionate about handling cases pertaining to racial discrimination, sexual harassment and other employment-related claims. We serve clients throughout New York, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We also have offices in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami to serve you.

 

By Derek Smith, Esq. | Published July 8, 2015 | Posted in Discrimination, Employment Law, Hostile Work