The Akebono Brake Corporation hired Clintoria Burnett in 2014 to fulfill the job of Washer Inspector. But when her religious beliefs prohibit her from wearing pants, the company sought to withdraw their offer of employment. Learn more about Clintoria’s story at Firstliberty.org/Briefing.
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Company Discriminates Against Woman’s Religious Beliefs
The Akebono Brake Corporation hired Clintoria Burnett in 2014 at one of its South Carolina automotive brake manufacturing locations as a temporary worker.
Burnett is an adherent to the Apostolic Faith Church of God and True Holiness. Her faith requires that she cannot wear pants and, even since she was a small child, has only worn skirts and dresses.
When Burnett received the offer for the job of Washer Inspector, she was wearing an ankle-length skirt. When she was told that she would have to wear pants to perform her job, the company withdrew their offer of employment.
According to the complaint filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the company, “failed to engage in any form of interactive process regarding a religious accommodation for Burnett, and failed to consider any potential accommodation of Burnett’s religious beliefs.”
Once an employer knows of an employee’s religion, it is required by law to at least make an effort to accommodate or demonstrate why such an accommodation would work an “undue hardship” upon the business.
Companies often have difficulty staffing positions and safety regulations can make that task even more difficult. Yet, it is vital that companies maintain our national commitment to religious liberty and human dignity by at least trying to find a way to accommodate an employee’s religious liberty at the job site.
To learn how First Liberty is protecting Religious Liberty for all Americans, visit FirstLiberty.org.
First Liberty Institute is the largest organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans. Find out more here.
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