Many religions, including Sikhism, Islam, and sects of Judaism, require that men and women do not cut their hair or that men do not shave their beards. Can employers force employees to cut their hair or shave their beards against their religion? It depends on the specific situation.
Understanding Title VII
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers with at least fifteen employees from discriminating against individuals because of their religion (or lack of religious belief) in hiring, firing, or any other terms and conditions of employment. Unless it would be an undue hardship on the employer’s operation of its business, an employer must reasonably accommodate an employee’s grooming practices that he or she observes for religious reasons. Rastafarian dreadlocks or Sikh uncut hair and beards are examples of grooming practices observed for religious reasons.
When an employee needs a grooming accommodation for religious reasons, the employee should notify the employer that he or she needs such an accommodation for religious reasons. If the employer reasonably needs more information, the employer and the employee should engage in an interactive process to discuss the employee’s request.
During the interactive process, the employee must identify the employment practices or rules that interfere with his or her religious belief so that the employer can assess whether an accommodation is available. The employer must consider in good faith whether an accommodation is possible and whether such accommodation poses an undue hardship to its business operations.
Know Your Rights
An employer does not have to accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs or practices if doing so would cause undue hardship to the employer. An accommodation may cause undue hardship if it is costly, compromises workplace safety, decreases workplace efficiency, infringes on the rights of other employees, or requires other employees to do more than their share of potentially hazardous or burdensome work. Undue hardship is determined on a case by case basis. Unless an employee has a religious reason for his or her hairstyle, an employer can dictate how an employee wears his or her hair at work.
If you are being discriminated againstby your employer on the basis of your religious beliefs, contact a workplace discrimination lawyer in Minnesota. A workplace discrimination lawyer at Schaefer Halleen, LLC can discuss your employment situation with you and explain options to protect your rights.
FAQs About Force a Haircut Against My Religion
Do you have to disclose religious beliefs to employers?
An employee is not required to disclose their religious beliefs to an employer unless they are requesting religious accommodation. If this is the case, the employer can only ask for relevant and reasonable information about the employee’s religion.
How do you deal with religious discrimination at work?
If you are being discriminated against at work due to your religion, contact an employment law attorney in Minnesota. A workplace discrimination lawyer can discuss your employment situation with you and explain options to protect your rights.
Can a company force you to cut your hair?
An employer with at least 15 employees cannot force you to cut your hair or remove your facial hair if you hold the religious belief that you are not permitted to do so. By forcing an employee to cut their hair against their religion, an employer may be in conflict with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII only allows an employer to refuse this accommodation if it would cause undue hardship to the business.
What religions prevent you from cutting your hair?
Religions such as Orthodox Judaism, Rastafarianism, and Sikhism all prohibit haircuts, the removal of facial hair, or a combination of the two due to beliefs that hair is sacred or a gift from God.
What are my religious rights for forced haircuts?
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, an employee is not required to cut their hair if it opposes their religious beliefs, unless it causes the employer undue hardship. The employee must request a religious accommodation to ensure they are not required to cut their hair.
How do you prove religious discrimination?
An employment law attorney can help you prove that an employer discriminated against you during the hiring, employment, or firing process because of your religious beliefs. The employer’s actions must be in conflict with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Do employers have to accommodate religion?
Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to honor their employees’ religious beliefs when those beliefs conflict with work requirements. A religious accommodation is any adjustment to work requirements that allows the employee to practice their religion.
Can an employer force you to get a haircut against your religion?
Your employer cannot force you to get a haircut against your religion unless it would cause undue hardship to the business. You must request a religious exemption to ensure you will not be forced to cut your hair.
