Which is an example of religious discrimination under Title VII?

Which is an example of religious discrimination under Title VII?

• A. Hiring someone who wears a religious dress
• B. Requiring all employees to work on Sunday
• C. Paying employees of one religion more for same work
• D. Refusing to hire because of religious dress

Answer: (D)

Religious discrimination under Title VII happens when an employment decision is based on religion or on an employee’s or applicant’s religious expression. Refusing to hire someone specifically because they wear religious dress targets a religious practice, and that makes it an unlawful hiring decision. Title VII requires that hiring be based on qualifications and business needs, not on religion or religious attire. The other scenarios touch on related issues—neutral dress policies must be applied without targeting religion, pay differences based on religion are discriminatory, and accommodations may be needed for religious observances—but excluding a candidate from hire for wearing religious dress is the clearest example of discrimination based on religion.

Religious discrimination under Title VII happens when an employment decision is based on religion or on an employee’s or applicant’s religious expression. Refusing to hire someone specifically because they wear religious dress targets a religious practice, and that makes it an unlawful hiring decision. Title VII requires that hiring be based on qualifications and business needs, not on religion or religious attire. The other scenarios touch on related issues—neutral dress policies must be applied without targeting religion, pay differences based on religion are discriminatory, and accommodations may be needed for religious observances—but excluding a candidate from hire for wearing religious dress is the clearest example of discrimination based on religion.