Religious Discrimination lawsuit Settled with ConcoPhillips
Oil giant, ConocoPhillips, which operates refineries around the world, agreed to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
According to the lawsuit, ConocoPhillips unlawfully discriminated against Clarence Taylor, a pipe fitter, at its refinery in Linden, N.J. Taylor had served as a deacon in his congregation, and in May 2006, was informed by the company that he was required to work a schedule that would force him to miss Sunday mass or else he would be terminated.
“If reasonable alternatives exist, the law does not allow an employer to force an employee to choose between keeping his job and practicing his faith,” said District Director Spencer H. Lewis of the EEOC’s New York District Office.
ConocoPhillips actions, violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits religious discrimination and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees’ and applicants’ sincerely held religious beliefs.
The EEOC had sought relief for Taylor and policy changes at ConocoPhillips, including: revised employment policies and new training for its managers. ConocoPhillips has agreed to the recommend changes by the EEOC and will provide $20,000 to resolve the ligation, including relief for Taylor and a donation to charity, as well as five days of additional leave for Taylor.
