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EEOC aids Rastafarian against UPS
April 03, 2006 by Ross Runkel at LawMemo
EEOC sued UPS claiming religion discrimination. The claim is that UPS refused to hire a Rastafarian as a driver helper because he wore a beard, which he wore for religious purposes.
The claim is that UPS required the applicant to shave; otherwise the only job available would be a lower-paying job with no contact with the public.
EEOC's theory is that UPS must reasonably accommodate the applicant's sincerely held religious belief and practice. [EEOC press release.]
My view:
- If the facts are true, then EEOC ought to win this one easily.
- I wonder why EEOC brought this case, given their limited resources. Probably as a signal to all employers that they have to accommodate religious practices, even practices that are "different" and that are practiced by "different" religions.
- I wonder why UPS didn't accommodate this applicant.
