Discrimination Based on Your Religion is Illegal

Both New Jersey and New York law prohibit employers from discriminating against you because of your religion or creed.  With some exceptions, your company cannot treat you worse because you are Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Native America, or another religion.  This means you could have a legal claim if your company fired you, demoted you, passed you over for a promotion, or took another adverse employment action against you due to your religion.

Reasonable Accommodations For Religious Beliefs

In addition to making it illegal to discriminate against employees because of their religion, New Jersey and New York employment discrimination laws also require companies to provide reasonable accommodations for bona fide religious beliefs.  For example, you might be entitled to time off or modifications to your schedule for religious observances.  More information is available on our reasonable accommodations page.

Religious Harassment Violates Your Legal Rights

Similarly, it is a violation of anti-discrimination laws if you are harassed at work because of your religious beliefs or affiliation.  Religious harassment can include a supervisor or coworker repeatedly insulting your religious beliefs, teasing your religious practices, or constantly sending you insulting or insensitive emails, jokes, or pictures that mock your religion.  Harassment due to your religion is legally actionable if it creates a hostile work environment.