Via Religion Clause, the EEOC has announced a lawsuit in Florida challenging a nursing home's refusal to continue accommodating a Seventh-Day Adventist's Sabbath requirements. A new policy at the Menorah House requires all employees to work on Saturdays.
The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The agency is asking the court to grant a permanent injunction enjoining Menorah House from further engaging in any employment practice that discriminates against employees because of their religious belief and requiring the company to reasonably accommodate the religious beliefs of employees. The suit also asks the court to order Menorah House to reinstate [Philomene] Augustin, grant back pay, provide compensatory and punitive damages and award any other relief the court deems necessary and proper.
“It is incumbent upon employers to reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious practices, when to do so would not result in an undue hardship,” said District Director Malcolm Medley. “The EEOC will continue to act when employers fail to meet that obligation.”
