Is This Major Trucking Company Guilty of Religious Discrimination? By Dan Atkerson on November 30, 2016

After a long battle and multiple investigations, a large trucking company has agreed to pay damages for religious discrimination.

The case began after a group of Sikh workers claimed that J.B Hunt had discriminated against them because of their faith. One man claims that he was fired after he would not remove his turban for religious reasons. Three other workers say that they were denied jobs because they refused to shave their beards before starting work.

All four men said that the company insisted that they remove their religious headwear as part of the company’s mandatory drug testing. When they argued that the turban carried religious significance, the company responded with retaliation.

The men filed discrimination complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This prompted multiple investigations into the company and its work processes. The court eventually ordered that the J.B. Hunt pay the men $260,000 in damages, and that they change some of their policies towards drug testing.

After the case, the plaintiffs expressed relief that it was over. One man noted that he had been driving trucks his entire life, and that his faith had never interfered with his ability to do a good job

Religious Discrimination in the Workplace is Against the Law

Religious faith is a protected class under United State employment laws. This means discrimination is more than just morally wrong; it is against the law. A business cannot fire, punish, demote, mistreat or refuse to hire an employee because of their religious faith.

The workplace can be a diverse place, with people of different genders, national origins, backgrounds and beliefs. All workers deserve the right to go to work and do their jobs without being subjected to humiliation or unfair treatment.

Dan A. Atkerson is a Dallas employment lawyer who fights passionately on behalf of victims of racial discrimination, religious discrimination, sexual harassment and other workplace injustices.