Sikh Car Salesman Reaches Settlement With Lexus Dealership
http://www.indiawest.com/news/15305-sikh-car-salesman-reaches-settlement-with-lexus-dealership.html
A New Jersey car salesman has won a lawsuit against a Lexus dealership, which had stipulated that he shave off his religiously-mandated beard before working there.
In 2009, Gurpreet Kherha filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming that Tri-County Lexus in New Jersey had a “no beards” policy for their salesman, which violated his religious rights. In a move announced by the EEOC earlier this month, Kherha entered into a consent decree with the dealership, and was awarded $50,000 in compensatory damages. The decree also requires Tri-County Lexus to train its staff against discriminatory practices, with a focus on religious discrimination and religious accommodation laws.
“I believe the outcome of this case was very positive and encourages anyone who believes they have been discriminated against, to take action to ensure that all employees are treated equally in the workplace no matter their race or religion,” said Kherha in a statement issued by the Sikh Coalition Nov. 19. Kherha thanked the Sikh Coalition and Indian American attorney Ravi Bhalla for pursuing the case for five years.
“As this settlement demonstrates, Sikh Americans have a right to live, work, and thrive in the U.S., just like anyone else. We will continue to stand up against employers who fail to understand their legal obligations to provide religious accommodations and keep Sikhs and other religious minorities out of the workplace,” said Gurjot Kaur, staff attorney at the Sikh Coalition.
"We are pleased that Tri-County Lexus partnered with us to resolve this suit. This settlement will protect employees and future applicants from religious discrimination and inform all that the EEOC will take vigorous action to remedy it,” said EEOC regional attorney Elizabeth Grossman.
“It will also serve as a vehicle to educate other employers about the Sikh faith,” she said.
Read more at http://www.indiawest.com/news/15305...ith-lexus-dealership.html#xmWHzvjfMsD0zx3e.99
http://www.indiawest.com/news/15305-sikh-car-salesman-reaches-settlement-with-lexus-dealership.html
A New Jersey car salesman has won a lawsuit against a Lexus dealership, which had stipulated that he shave off his religiously-mandated beard before working there.
In 2009, Gurpreet Kherha filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming that Tri-County Lexus in New Jersey had a “no beards” policy for their salesman, which violated his religious rights. In a move announced by the EEOC earlier this month, Kherha entered into a consent decree with the dealership, and was awarded $50,000 in compensatory damages. The decree also requires Tri-County Lexus to train its staff against discriminatory practices, with a focus on religious discrimination and religious accommodation laws.
“I believe the outcome of this case was very positive and encourages anyone who believes they have been discriminated against, to take action to ensure that all employees are treated equally in the workplace no matter their race or religion,” said Kherha in a statement issued by the Sikh Coalition Nov. 19. Kherha thanked the Sikh Coalition and Indian American attorney Ravi Bhalla for pursuing the case for five years.
“As this settlement demonstrates, Sikh Americans have a right to live, work, and thrive in the U.S., just like anyone else. We will continue to stand up against employers who fail to understand their legal obligations to provide religious accommodations and keep Sikhs and other religious minorities out of the workplace,” said Gurjot Kaur, staff attorney at the Sikh Coalition.
"We are pleased that Tri-County Lexus partnered with us to resolve this suit. This settlement will protect employees and future applicants from religious discrimination and inform all that the EEOC will take vigorous action to remedy it,” said EEOC regional attorney Elizabeth Grossman.
“It will also serve as a vehicle to educate other employers about the Sikh faith,” she said.
Read more at http://www.indiawest.com/news/15305...ith-lexus-dealership.html#xmWHzvjfMsD0zx3e.99
