In Political Climate Focused on Muslims, EEOC Cracks Down on Religious Discrimination
The agency will change its data collection options and provide education to younger workers
By Dana Wilkie
Jul 28, 2016
At a time when the nation's political discourse has focused on religion—particularly on Muslims entering the U.S.—the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is stepping up awareness of religious discrimination by educating younger workers and having claimants more specifically define their faith.
The commission announced July 22 that it is changing how it collects data about the religion of someone who alleges discrimination.
"What we're going to be asking for is more specific information about an individual's religious affiliation," said EEOC spokeswoman Christine Nazer. "Presently, we collect religious discrimination charges identifying these religions: Seventh Day Adventist, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Sikh and 'other.' The 'other' category was a bucket for other religions, so we're trying to more precisely identify the religious affiliation of the individual filing a charge. 'Other' isn't very helpful."
For example, Nazer said, someone who identifies as a Buddhist would now be listed under the "other" category. Under the new system, there would be a separate category for Buddhism and separate categories for other religions not now captured.
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/muslims,-discrimination.aspx
