Chicago Woman Suing Office Depot for Religious Discrimination

September 11, 2015

A suburban Chicago woman is accusing Office Depot of religious discrimination, claiming employees told her that making copies of an anti-abortion prayer violated company policy.

The woman is Roman Catholic. Last month, she apparently asked the Office Depot in Schaumburg to make 500 copies of “A Prayer for Planned Parenthood.”

The company spokeswoman said that Office Depot prohibits the copying of material that advocates “the persecution of certain groups of people,” among other criteria. She also stated that the flier “contained material that advocates the persecution of people who support abortion rights.”

The woman said the handout is part of a weeklong prayer and fasting campaign that aims to change opinions on abortion, according to reports.

Office Depot is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

Religious discrimination is illegal in any part of the workplace, from hiring practices to termination of employment. Religious discrimination is prohibited when it has a negative effect on someone obtaining or keeping a job as well as the conditions of employment while that person is employed.

The most common ways religious discrimination can occur, include the following:

• Job Advertisements
• Recruiting
• Application Processes and Applicant Screening
• Interviews
• Pre-employment Inquires
• Job Referrals
• Job Assignments and Promotions
• Compensation, including pay and benefits
• Performance Evaluations and Raises
• Disciplinary Practices
• Terminations and Layoffs
• Harassment
• Refusing a Reasonable Accommodation
• Forced Participation in Religious Practices

If your religious rights have been violated in the workplace, please do not hesitate to enlist the help of a Florida Employment Lawyer at Whittel & Melton who can protect your rights aggressively and effectively. We are determined to make sure that your rights are upheld. To learn more about employment discrimination cases, please call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online.