CAIR-MI Files EEOC Complaint Against McDonald’s
(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 4/13/10) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint against McDonald’s Corporation on behalf of a Muslim who alleges denial of employment based upon her ethnicity and religion.
The Muslim female reported to CAIR-MI that she recently applied for employment at a McDonald’s restaurant in Rochester Hills, Michigan. During the interview process, she alleges that one of the restaurant managers asked about her nationality and ethnicity and informed her that wearing of hijab (religiously mandated headscarf) would be a problem.
The complainant contacted the manager back within a week after the interview to inquire into her possible employment in which she was informed that someone else was selected over her.
The location of the reported incident is within close proximity to one of the largest mosques in the state of Michigan.
“We urge McDonald’s Corporation to take immediate action to make necessary policy changes and to retrain all restaurant managers to honor the 1st Amendment rights of all potential and current employees,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.
CAIR offers a booklet called "An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices" to help corporate managers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
SEE: An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/employment_guide.pdf
Walid also said Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing and other terms and conditions of employment. The act also requires employers to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee, unless doing so would create an "undue hardship" for the employer.
In 2008, the EEOC issued new guidelines on accommodating religious beliefs and practices in the workplace. The guidelines offer protection for workers who wear religious attire such as hijab.
SEE: New Religious Discrimination Manual Released (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-07-30-work-discrimination_N.htm
In 2008, CAIR-MI raised concerns with McDonald’s regarding two similar incidents in which Muslim women allege being denied employment due to wearing hijab.
SEE: Women Claim McDonald’s Denies Jobs Due to Muslim Headscarves (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-07-25-hijab-mcdonalds_N.htm
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: lmasri@cair.com