Legal Question in Environmental Law in Illinois

What are my rights?

I work for a major BIG BOX retailer in the US as a Operations and HR manager. Recently the store manager challanged my decision on hiring 2 new associates. Both of them are of Somali origin and wear the traditional Islamic hijab. I was told NOT to hire them because the Hijab is not a fashion statement our company want--name removed--to represent. I was very disturbed to hear this statement so I reported this concern to higher management. The corp HR and the district manager got involed and after some investigation the store manager was fired. When I reported the concern originally to corp HR I also asked to be transferred to a different location, I would not feel comfortable in the store after reporting this incident. My fear was of retaliation from the store manager and other associates in the store who will be loyal to the store manager. Well, needless to say after the store manager was let go my life at this store has become a living hell. I feel I am now on the chopping block and the company views me as a liability for reporting this incident. I am being forced to work schedules that are not company standards. I feel I am being picked on and being forced out the door. I am very stressed by this situation and need some advice.


Asked on 12/22/06, 11:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Zedrick Braden III Ainsworth & Associates PC

Re: What are my rights?

Hello. You have a right to complain

to management and make a second request to be transferred from your

present job location. I would file a

complaint with EEOC right away. If

you feel that you are on the verge of

being fired, now is the time to act.

Essentially, the legal issue is whether the company knew or should have known that you would be a victim

of severe retaliation from other company employees if you were made to

remain at the same lcoation. This

represents bad faith on the part of your employer. Certainly your decision to report this ethnic and

religious discrimination was a noble

act on your part. Clearly you need

to have a lawyer in place to communi-

cate with your employer. I suggests

that you take action as soon as pos-

sible. Will be happy to discuss this

with you further.

Read more
Answered on 12/23/06, 4:00 am


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