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COLUMBIA, S.C. - Akebono Brake Corporation, a Michigan-based company that designs and manufactures automotive brake components, violated federal law when it refused to hire a temporary laborer because of her religion, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed today. The federal agency further charged that the company discriminatorily interfered with the temporary laborer's employment opportunities with her direct employer, a temporary labor service provider (TLSP).
According to EEOC's suit, Clintoria Burnett is an observant member of the Apostolic Faith Church of God and True Holiness, a Pentecostal Christian denomination. Burnett holds the religious belief that she cannot wear pants because she is a woman, and that she is commanded to wear skirts or dresses. Burnett was hired by the TLSP in or around October 2014. The TLSP extended to Burnett an offer of employment to work at Akebono's West Columbia, S.C., facility for the benefit of Akebono. While the TLSP had the authority to recruit and hire temporary laborers for placement at Akebono's facility under the terms of a staffing agreement between the two entities, Akebono maintained the ultimate authority to deny hire to any employee recruited by the TLSP. Burnett accepted the TLSP's offer of employment.
Akebono maintained a dress code policy requiring employees to wear pants while at Akebono's facility. Ultimately, Akebono directed the TLSP not to hire Burnett because of her religious belief. Akebono did not consider any potential religious accommodations. Based on Akebono's directive, the TLSP withdrew Burnett's offer of employment.
EEOC Files Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against Akebono Brake Corporation
This will be an interesting lawsuit.
According to EEOC's suit, Clintoria Burnett is an observant member of the Apostolic Faith Church of God and True Holiness, a Pentecostal Christian denomination. Burnett holds the religious belief that she cannot wear pants because she is a woman, and that she is commanded to wear skirts or dresses. Burnett was hired by the TLSP in or around October 2014. The TLSP extended to Burnett an offer of employment to work at Akebono's West Columbia, S.C., facility for the benefit of Akebono. While the TLSP had the authority to recruit and hire temporary laborers for placement at Akebono's facility under the terms of a staffing agreement between the two entities, Akebono maintained the ultimate authority to deny hire to any employee recruited by the TLSP. Burnett accepted the TLSP's offer of employment.
Akebono maintained a dress code policy requiring employees to wear pants while at Akebono's facility. Ultimately, Akebono directed the TLSP not to hire Burnett because of her religious belief. Akebono did not consider any potential religious accommodations. Based on Akebono's directive, the TLSP withdrew Burnett's offer of employment.
EEOC Files Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against Akebono Brake Corporation
This will be an interesting lawsuit.
