Philadelphia & New Jersey Religious Discrimination Attorneys

Defending the Rights of Employees to Practice Their Faith Without Fear or Retaliation

At Freundlich & Littman, LLC, we believe that religious freedom doesn’t stop at the office door. Our legal team has represented thousands of employees across Pennsylvania and New Jersey who were harassed, denied reasonable accommodations, or unfairly punished for their religious beliefs. If you’ve been targeted at work because of your faith, our seasoned employment attorneys are here to fight for your rights.

Whether your employer has refused to accommodate your religious holidays, enforced grooming or dress codes that conflict with your beliefs, or allowed religious hostility to go unchecked, you may be entitled to legal relief under state and federal law.

What Is Religious Discrimination in the Workplace?

Religious discrimination occurs when an employer treats a current or prospective employee unfavorably due to their religion or sincerely held religious beliefs. This also includes lack of religion—atheists and agnostics are equally protected under the law.

Religious discrimination can take the form of:

• Failure to accommodate religious observance (e.g., Sabbath, Ramadan, Yom Kippur)
• Harassment or ridicule based on religious dress, practices, or affiliation
• Discipline or termination for refusing to comply with policies that conflict with your faith
• Exclusion or unequal treatment in hiring, promotions, or scheduling

Your Legal Protections

Federal and state laws protect you from religious discrimination:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Requires employers with 15+ employees to accommodate employees’ religious beliefs and prohibits religious bias
• Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) – Protects workers in PA from faith-based discrimination
• New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) – Strongly enforces religious rights in all aspects of employment

These laws require employers to provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the business.

Common Examples of Religious Discrimination

• An employee is denied time off to attend religious services or holidays
• A Muslim worker is harassed for wearing a hijab
• A Jewish employee is mocked for observing dietary restrictions
• A Christian worker is passed over for a promotion after requesting Sundays off
• A company refuses to modify a uniform policy to accommodate a Sikh turban or beard

These are not just unfair—they are illegal under federal and state law.

What Counts as a Reasonable Religious Accommodation?

Examples include:

• Flexible scheduling for religious holidays
• Modifications to dress codes (e.g., head coverings, facial hair)
• Meal or break changes for prayer or fasting
• Exceptions to certain policies that conflict with faith-based practices

Employers must engage in an interactive process with the employee to find workable solutions.

What To Do If You Face Religious Discrimination

1. Document the behavior – Keep records of emails, comments, schedules, and complaints
2. Report the issue internally – Notify HR or a supervisor, in writing
3. Contact an employment attorney – Don’t delay; strict deadlines may apply

Our Legal Experience & Success

At Freundlich & Littman, we have decades of combined experience representing clients facing religious discrimination. We’ve handled claims involving:

• Religious accommodation refusals in large corporations
• Harassment of Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Sikh employees
• Firing or discipline after requesting time off for religious holidays
• Retaliation for reporting religious bias to HR or management

Our firm’s reputation for high-quality litigation and compassionate client care has made us a go-to employment law firm throughout the region.

Potential Compensation in Religious Discrimination Cases

If your case is successful, you may be entitled to:

• Back pay and lost wages
• Compensatory damages for emotional suffering
• Reinstatement or front pay
• Punitive damages in cases of willful misconduct
• Legal fees and court costs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer deny time off for religious holidays?
Only if granting the time off would create an undue hardship for the business.

Do religious accommodations have to be granted?
Yes, unless they pose a significant cost, risk, or disruption.

What if my coworkers are harassing me for my beliefs?
Employers must intervene. If they fail to act, they can be held liable.

Am I protected if I’m not part of an organized religion?
Yes. Sincerely held spiritual or ethical beliefs are also protected.

Why Choose Freundlich & Littman?

✔️ Thousands of clients represented across Pennsylvania & New Jersey
✔️ Proven track record in religious accommodation and discrimination cases
✔️ Experienced in handling workplace harassment and retaliation claims
✔️ Personal, compassionate advocacy tailored to your faith and needs

You don’t have to choose between your job and your beliefs. We’ll fight to ensure you’re treated with the dignity and respect you deserve.

Contact Us for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve faced harassment, retaliation, or denial of accommodations based on religion, call us today. We’re ready to stand up for your rights.

📞 Call Now: 215-545-8500
📨 info@FandLLaw.com

Serving Philadelphia, South Jersey, Allentown, Reading, Camden, and Surrounding Areas.