The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) approved revisions to EEOC’s Compliance Manual Section on Religious Discrimination (“Manual”). The Manual was approved by the Commission on January 15th by a 3-2 vote.
The updated guidance describes the ways in which Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) protects individuals from religious discrimination in the workplace and sets forth the legal protections available to religious employers.
Next Steps for Employers
Employers are encouraged to review the revised guidance as the revisions include important updates to the discussion of protections for employees from religious discrimination in the context of reasonable accommodations and harassment. The revised guidance also expands the discussion of defenses that may be available to religious employers.