EEOC Sues Austin Chick-fil-A Operator Over Saturday Sabbath Firing at 1 Restaurant
Updated
Updated · FOX 7 Austin · May 15
EEOC Sues Austin Chick-fil-A Operator Over Saturday Sabbath Firing at 1 Restaurant
9 articles · Updated · FOX 7 Austin · May 15
Austin-based Hatch Trick Inc. is accused of violating federal law after forcing a manager to choose between Saturday Sabbath observance and her job, then firing her when she refused a demotion.
The EEOC said the employee, a United Church of God member, disclosed in her interview that she could not work Saturdays; the company initially accommodated that request before later requiring Saturday shifts.
Several meetings failed to resolve the dispute after the employee proposed alternatives to stay in her managerial role, and the operator instead offered a lower-paid delivery-driver job with fewer benefits and hours.
The agency filed the Title VII lawsuit in federal court in Austin after conciliation efforts broke down, seeking to enforce employers' duty to provide religious accommodations unless they can show undue hardship.
What now defines 'undue hardship' for businesses accommodating an employee's religious needs?
Can offering a demotion ever be considered a 'reasonable accommodation' for religious beliefs?