Written by Don Byrd
A Muslim woman harassed at her AT&T job for 3 years for her faith and religious clothing, was awarded the largest religious discrimination verdict in Missouri history.
Her face framed by a white scarf covering her head and hair — considered “a private part” for Muslim women — Susann Bashir grew sad Friday afternoon recalling her final encounter with a former boss.
She said she had already endured years of harassment by co-workers and had started pursuing a religious discrimination case against her employer when the supervisor, during a routine meeting in his office, snatched her scarf and exposed her hair.
Bashir sued, and this week a Jackson County jury awarded her $5 million in punitive damages against Southwestern Bell/AT&T, where she worked as a fiber optics network builder for more than 10 years.
$5 Million is not likely to stick due to Missouri verdict cap laws, but an important message sent. That is outrageous behavior, particularly coming from a supervisor. Workers should not have to trade in their religious beliefs for their dignity at the workplace.
