Religious discrimination bill on Governor’s desk
Legislation has been passed to crackdown on employers who discriminate against employees for practicing their personal religious beliefs.
The legislation (A-3451) would expand the protections provided under the Law Against Discrimination to include protecting employees from losing promotions, retaining employment, or making a transfer based on the fact that the employee has specific religious obligations. The bill would require that an employer make an accommodation to the employee, unless the employee’s actions will cause undue hardship for the employer.
Employees taking time off for religious purposes would be allowed to make up time with the employer at a mutually convenient time or the employee would have an option to take a leave with pay.
Governor Corzine has not indicated whether he will sign the bill. Or he may conditionally veto it. In either case, the bill goes beyond Title VII protection and will apply to every NJ employer regardless of size.
