Prices Rite,a discount store,employs a number of individuals to work in its warehouse area,and to keep the shelves stocked with product.To maintain a safe atmosphere for all employees,Prices established requirements for personal protective equipment both in the warehouse and on the store floor.While in the warehouse,employees must wear hard hats,steel-toed safety shoes,and protective gloves.While stocking the sales floor,employees are required to wear only the steel-toed safety shoes and protective gloves (for frozen products only).Harjit,a practicing Sikh,works for Prices and is subject to the safety requirements.Harjit complies,except that he often does not wear the hard hat because he doesn't want to cover his turban.Harjit received several disciplinary charges for failure to wear the hard hat,and ultimately was terminated.Harjit filed a case under Title VII in which he alleged discrimination based on religion.What is the most likely outcome in this case?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prices may win if it can demonstrate that there was no other available alternative to termination that would not cause undue hardship. Employers can discriminate against an employee for religious reasons if to do otherwise would cause the employer undue hardship. In some cases, the only alternative available to the employer is demotion or termination, depending on the circumstances. Once the employee establishes a prima facie case of religious discrimination in court, the burden will shift to the employer to demonstrate that this was the only viable alternative. If so, the discrimination may not be prohibited if other alternatives would present the employer with undue hardship.

Prices Rite,a Discount Store,employs a Number of Individuals to Work