Legal Question in Employment Law in South Carolina

Job Discrimination Based on Religion

At the predominately Christian college I teach, I am the only Jewish faculty member. On at least 2 occasions in my two years of employment, my Department Head expressed disdain of my religion, and singled me out for extra work--sometimes doing the work of other faculty members. I was discouraged and threatened with possible loss of my job if I went to Israel for vacation rather than finish a particular report (even when other faculty were able to work on it in my stead). One another instance, I was made aware that my Dept. Head said: Why did I have to go to Synagogue on Friday Night (when other faculty were working on the project).

The probationary period is 3 years. What can I do?


Asked on 1/25/01, 10:21 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alton L. Martin, Jr. Martin & Martin Attorneys, PA

Re: Job Discrimination Based on Religion

Private religious colleges may be allowed to take a person's religion into consideration when making employment decisions under certain circumstances. You should review your employment contract and the college's published employment policies. If you feel the college is discriminating against you based on your religion, you may file a Religious Discrimination claim against it with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, (EEOC). The fact that you are still a probationary employee does not affect your right to file a claim, but it may affect the college's decision to make you a permanent employee.

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Answered on 3/08/01, 9:11 am


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