Dan Brecher
Counsel
212-286-0747 dbrecher@sh-law.comFirm Insights
EEOC Issues New Guidance on Religious Dress and Grooming in the Workplace
Author: Dan Brecher
Date: March 26, 2014
Key Contacts
Back
Failing to make a reasonable religious accommodation to your dress and grooming policy can be costly. Just ask United Galaxy Inc., a car dealership in Little Falls, New Jersey. Late last year, the company agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve allegations that it declined to hire a Sikh applicant after he refused to shave his beard for religious reasons.
In total, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’ received 3,721 charges alleging religious discrimination in FY 2013. The agency has further indicated that such cases are a growing priority.
To avoid running afoul of federal employment law, employers should carefully read the EEOC’s latest guidance on how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to religious dress and grooming practices, and what steps employers can take to meet their legal responsibilities in this area.
Employers must generally make exceptions to their usual policies or preferences to allow applicants and employees to observe religious dress and grooming practices, unless doing so presents an undue hardship. As detailed by the EEOC, examples of religious dress and grooming practices include:
- Wearing religious clothing or articles (e.g., a Muslim hijab (headscarf), a Sikh turban, or a Christian cross);
- Observing a religious prohibition against wearing certain garments (e.g., a Muslim, Pentecostal Christian, or Orthodox Jewish woman’s practice of not wearing pants or short skirts), or
- Adhering to shaving or hair length observances (e.g., Sikh uncut hair and beard, Rastafarian dreadlocks, or Jewish peyes (sidelocks)).
To further illustrate when employers must make religious accommodations, the guidance includes 16 questions and answers, along with illustrative examples. Key topics that are addressed include: determining whether an asserted religious practice is sincerely held; assigning an employee to a non-customer contact position; addressing workplace safety, security, or health concerns; and preventing retaliation. We encourage all employers to review the examples and contact an experienced labor attorney with any concerns.
If you have any questions about religious discrimination claims or would like to discuss your company’s employee policies and procedures, please contact me or the Scarinci Hollenbeck Labor and Employment Law attorney with whom you work.
- Practices: Labor & Employment
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Legal Issues Before Bringing on Investors
Bringing on outside investors can provide the capital and strategic support a business needs to grow. However, raising capital also introduces important legal, financial, and operational considerations. Before bringing on investors, businesses should address key legal issues to reduce risk, streamline investor due diligence, and position the company for long-term success. Early preparation signals that […]
Author: Dan Brecher
SECURE 2.0 RMD Planning Strategies
How the Updated Law Shapes Retirement and Estate Planning The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 materially reshapes the required minimum distribution (RMD) landscape, extending tax deferral opportunities while accelerating distribution requirements for many beneficiaries. For high-net-worth individuals and families, these changes are not merely technical. They require a reassessment of retirement income strategies, beneficiary planning, […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
Buying Commercial Property in New Jersey: Legal Guide for Small Businesses
Small businesses considering buying commercial property in New Jersey must evaluate a range of legal, financial, and operational factors. While ownership can offer long-term value and control, it also introduces significant risks if not properly structured. This guide outlines key considerations to help New Jersey business owners make informed decisions, minimize legal exposure, and successfully […]
Author: Robert L. Baker, Jr.
The SEC’s Latest Guidance on Applying Federal Securities Laws to Tokenized Securities
On January 28, 2026, staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Divisions of Corporation Finance, Investment Management, and Trading and Markets issued a joint statement clarifying how existing federal securities laws apply to tokenized securities. The SEC’s “Statement on Tokenized Securities” does not establish new law, but it does provide greater clarity on the […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Common Legal Mistakes NYC and New Jersey Business Owners Make
Operating a business in the New Jersey and New York City metropolitan region offers incredible opportunities, but it also requires navigating a dense and highly regulated legal environment. From entity formation to regulatory compliance, seemingly minor legal oversights can expose business owners to significant risk. In our work with businesses throughout the region, our attorneys […]
Author: Dan Brecher
What Founders Can Learn From Start-up Suits
High-profile founder litigation is more than just a media spectacle. For startup founders, these cases underscore the legal and structural risks that can arise when rapid growth outpaces formal oversight. While launching a new company can be both an exciting and deeply rewarding endeavor, founders must be mindful that it also comes with significant risks. […]
Author: Dan Brecher
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.