Selected List of Pending and Resolved Cases Alleging Religious and National Origin Discrimination Involving the Muslim, Sikh, Arab, Middle Eastern and South Asian Communities
(as of September 10, 2012)

Pending

UPS: filed 9/11/12 by the San Francisco District Office - Charging Party is an Arab Muslim. He worked for defendant as a loader/unloader and alleges he was subjected to harassment (referred to as "terrorist," "al Qaeda," and "Osama Bin Laden"), and to retaliatory harassment and terms and conditions of employment (increased scrutiny and strenuous work assignments) after he complained of his treatment.

Spitzer Autoworld: filed 5/30/08 by the Philadelphia District Office - Charging Party was subjected to harassment and constructively discharged because of his national origin, Lebanon, and religion, Druze.  The harassment included derogatory references ("habeebies" and "terrorists") regarding people from the Middle East.

Sierra Pacific: filed 6/25/08 by the San Francisco District Office  - Charging Party was harassed ("Osama," "camel jockey" and "Saddam"), discharged and retaliated against because of national origin, Egyptian.

Swift & Co.: filed 8/30/10 by the Phoenix District Office - defendant failed to accommodate a class of Muslim workers' need to pray at sundown, particularly during Ramadan, and disciplined and discharged many Muslim workers because of religion, national origin (Somali) and in retaliation for requesting an accommodation.  Defendant also created a hostile work environment based on religion, national origin, and race (Black).

Swift & Co. - Grand Island Beef: filed 8/30/10 by the St. Louis District Office  - defendant failed to accommodate a class of Muslim workers' need to pray at sundown, particularly during Ramadan, and disciplined and discharged many Muslim workers because of religion, national origin (Somali) and in retaliation for requesting an accommodation.  Defendant also created a hostile work environment based on religion, national origin, and race (Black).

Abercrombie & Fitch: filed 9/1/10 by the San Francisco District Office - Charging Party is Muslim.  She was denied a reasonable accommodation (hijab) and denied hire into a stockroom position because of her religion.

Tri-County Lexus: filed 9/28/10 by the New York District Office  - Charging Party is a Sikh.  He was denied the reasonable accommodation of wearing a beard and denied hire as a sales associate because of his religion

Abercrombie & Fitch d/b/a Hollister: filed 6/27/11 by the San Francisco District Office - Charging Party is Muslim.  Defendant refused to accommodate Charging Party's religion by permitting her to wear a headscarf and discharged her.

MCM Elegante: filed 9/21/11 by the Phoenix District Office  - defendant hotel chain failed to accommodated Charging Party's religion, Muslim.

Scully Transportation: filed 9/29/11 by the Los Angeles District Office - defendant contract carriage company discriminated against three Charging Parties (East Indian, Hispanic, Black and perceived Muslim).  The East Indian was referred to as "Taliban" and "camel jockey."

ABM Security Services: filed 7/18/12 by the Phoenix District Office - defendant private security firm refused to provide Charging Party (Muslim) with the religious accommodation of permitting her to wear a head scarf (khimar) with her uniform and terminated her because of her religion.

Swift Aviation Group: filed 9/4/12 by the Phoenix District Office  - an aeronautical services company located at Sky Harbor Airport subjected Charging Party to harassment ("I don't know why we don't just kill all them towelheads" and derogatory jokes about terrorists and Arabs) because of his national origin (Turkish/Palestinian) and religion (Muslim) which resulted in his constructive discharge after defendant failed to stop the harassment.

Resolved

2012

Fremont Toyota: filed 8/23/11 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 8/3/12 ($400,000) - Defendant subjected Afghani employees to national origin harassment and constructive discharge and discharged an Afghani manager who opposed the harassment.

Morningside House of Ellicott City: filed 9/26/11 y the Philadelphia District Office, resolved 8/6/2012 ($25,000)  - defendant assisted living facility refused to hire Charging Party (Muslim) because she refused to remove a head scarf she wore for religious reasons.

Four Points Sheraton: filed 6/9/10 by the Phoenix District Office, resolved 5/4/12 ($50,000) - Charging Party is Iraqi.  He was subjected to harassment (called "camel jocky") because of his national origin and constructively discharged.

Autozone: filed 9/28/10 by te New York District Office, resolved 3/29//12 ($75,000) - Charging Party is a Sikh.  After converting to the Sikh religion, he was harassed, denied the reasonable accommodations of wearing a turban and a kara (slave bangle) for his sales associate position and discharged in retaliation for complaining of discrimination.

Rugo Stone: filed 8/30/11 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 3/6/12 ($40,000) - defendant subjected an assistant project manager to harassment based on national origin (Pakistani), religion (Islam), and color (brown).

Kaze Japanese Steakhouse: filed 9/7/10 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 1/26/12 ($4000) - Charging Party converted to Islam.  She was denied the reasonable accommodation of wearing a hijab and discharged from her servicer position because of her religion.

Imperial Security: filed 9/16/10 by the Phoenix District Office, resolved 11/22/11 (($50,000) - Charging Party is Muslim.  She was denied the reasonable accommodation of being allowed to wear her Khimar at work and discharged from her security guard position because of her religion.  Other Muslim employees were also denied accommodations.

2011

Abercrombie & Fitch: filed 9/29/09 by the St. Louis District Office, summary judgment for plaintiff on liability on 6/29/11, resolved 7/20/11 ($20,000 jury award) - Charging Party is Muslim. She was not hired by defendant because she wore a head scarf to her interview.

Monocle Restaurant: filed 4/14/10 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 5/16/11 ($35,000) - two waiters were harassed because of their religion (Muslim) and national origins (Palestinian and Moroccan).

GoDaddy Software: filed 9/30/04 by the Phoenix District Office, jury trial 4/25/07 ($241,708), affirmed on appeal to 9th Circuit (9/10/09), en banc rehearing denied 12/16/09, resolved 3/24/11 ($286,791) - Charging Party was denied a sales supervisor position and discharged because of national origin (Moroccan) and religion (Muslim), and because he complained about national origin and religious discrimination.

The Sahara Hotel and Casino: filed 7/30/09 by the Los Angeles District Office, resolved 12/7/10 ($100,000) - an Egyptian kitchen employee was subjected to harassing comments ("Bin Laden," Taliban," and "go back to Egypt") and graffiti from a coworker because of his national origin and was retaliated against with write-ups and suspensions after he complained about the harassment.

LAZ Parking: filed 5/7/10 by the Atlanta District Office, resolved 11/16/10 ($46,000) - Charging Party was denied a reasonable accommodation (wearing a hijab) and discharged because of her religion, Muslim.

Gold'n Plump Poultry and The Work Connection: filed 9//9/08 by the Chicago District Office, resolved 3/31/09 ($365,000 - - $215,000 from Gold'n Plump and $150,000 from The Work Connection), Conclusion of claims process 10/1/10 ($150,000 (WC) and $218,110 (GNP)) - A chicken processing company and an employment agency denied Muslim employees religious accommodations for prayer breaks, required signing of forms that individuals will work with pork products and disciplined or terminated employees who prayed at work and refused to refer employees because of religion.

2010

White Lodging Services Corp.: filed 7/4/06 by the Indianapolis District Office, resolved 7/21/10 ($40,000) - A Marriott hotel did not hire four Muslim women for housekeeping jobs because the women wore religious head coverings.

Heartland Employer Services (HCR Manor Health Care Services): filed 2/28/08 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 6/7/10 ($30,000) - a nursing home denied a Sikh from wearing a kirpan, a small, dull ceremonial knife worn by Sikhs as a religious symbol. Charging Party was also constructively discharged.

Pace Services: filed 9/29/08 by the Houston District Office, resolved 4/20/10 (($122,500) - Charging Party is a Muslim of East Indian national origin. He was employed as a truck driver and was subjected to harassing comments ("Taliban," "Al-Queda," and "terrorist") from his coworkers and supervisor, and was discharged.

Ivy Hall Assisted Living: filed 9/30/08 by the Atlanta District Office, resolved 1/28/10 ($43,000) - Charging Party, a housekeeper, was denied a religious accommodation to wear a traditional religious head covering, a hijab, and was discharged for violating defendant's dress code.

New Community Corporation: filed 9/28/07 by the New York District Office, resolved 1/25/10 ($25,000) - a part-time Muslim security officer was denied a religious accommodation not to contribute to a Catholic charity and was discharged in retaliation for filing a charge of discrimination complaining that he was suspended and removed from the work schedule because he did not want to contribute to the charity.

HCR Manor Health Care Services: filed 8/30/07 by the Indianapolis District Office, resolved 12/18/09 ($15,000) - a healthcare facility denied Charging Party, a Sikh, the religious accommodation of wearing a kirpan, a small, dull ceremonial knife she wore as a religious symbol, and then discharged her because of her religious practice.

Sunbelt Rentals: filed 9/17/04 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 10/9/09 ($64,641) - a Muslim manager was subjected to harassment from coworkers about being a terrorist, his timecards were tampered with and his business cards were thrown out. He was also disciplined and discharged for complaining about his treatment.

2009

The Geo Group: filed 9/27/07 by the Philadelphia District Office, summary judgment to defendant 5/18/09, affirmed on appeal 10/12/10 - A Muslim nurse in a correctional institution was denied a reasonable accommodation to defendant's dress code for her religious headdress and was terminated for violating the dress code.

Southern Hills Medical Center: filed 9/28/07 by the Memphis District Office, resolved 4/28/09 ($70,000) - a hospital failed to grant a Muslim medical technician a 3-week leave of absence for a pilgrimage to Mecca, resulting in Charging Party's discharge.

Eastland Park Hotel: filed 9/26/07 by the New York District Office, verdict for defendant on 2/26/09 - A hotel did not provide a religious accommodation for a Muslim housekeeping employee to perform daily prayers.

Champion Security Services: filed 6/26/08 by the Dallas District Office, resolved 1/21/09 ($24,000) - a security firm refused to accommodate and refused to hire a Sikh security guard because of his religious practices of wearing a beard and turban.

Starlight Lounge: filed 8/16/06 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 1/13/09 ($41,000) - A restaurant failed to promote and constructively discharged a server because of race, black, and religion, Muslim.

Merrill Lynch: filed 6/26/07 by the New York District Office, resolved 1/6/09 ($1,550,000) - An international financial services firm refused to promote and discharged Charging Party because of national origin, Iran, and religion, Muslim.

National Wholesale Liquidators: filed 6/21/07 by the New York District Office, resolved 10/23/08 ($255,000) - South Asian employees were subjected to religious, racial and ethnic taunts and at least one female worker was sexually harassed and subjected to discrimination on the basis of her religion, Sikh, when her manager told her to remove her religious headdress because she "would appear sexier without it."

Outside Unlimited: filed 9/26/07 by the Philadelphia District Office, resolved 10/23/08 ($75,000) - An Egyptian Muslim landscaping department head was denied a religious accommodation to leave work two hours early on Friday for religious observance, was subjected to religious and ethnic slurs ("raghead" and "sand nigger") and was discharged in retaliation for complaining of discrimination.

Project Group of Illinois: filed 3/29/07 by the Chicago District Office, resolved 10/9/08 ($25,000) - a Palestinian Muslim was subjected to derogatory remarks about her head covering and was referred to as a terrorist.

Kelly Services: filed 9/26/07 by the Chicago District Office, summary judgment to defendant 10/9/08, affirmed on appeal 3/25/10 - a temporary firm did not hire a Muslim applicant for a printing press job when the applicant refused to remove her religious head covering.

2008

Chriskoll d/b/a Burger King: filed 3/21/06 by the Philadelphia District Office, resolved 12/3/07 ($16,150) - Charging Party is a Muslim and was hired by defendant as a food handler. Defendant refused to provide Charging Party with a religious accommodation for his beard and discharged him after Charging Party refused to comply with defendant's appearance policy.

Client Services, Inc.: filed 9/12/07 by the St. Louis District Office, resolved 4/1/08 ($65,000) - Charging Party is Muslim and wears a head scarf for religious reasons. Defendant refused to accommodate and discharged Charging Party from her part-time position for wearing the head scarf.

Specialty Restaurants/Monterey Hill Banquets: filed 9/25/06 by the Los Angeles District Office, resolved 5/13/08 ($625,000) - class sexual harassment case included a claim that a Middle Eastern catering sales manager was referred to as "Taliban" and told to stop watching "Al-Zereh television."

Folks, Inc.: filed 12/18/07 by the Atlanta District Office, resolved 5/19/08 ($40,000) - Defendant refused to provide Charging Party with an accommodation for the religious head covering she wore and rescinded its job offer to her because of religion, Muslim.

NCL America: filed 8/22/06 by the Los Angeles District Office, resolved 6/3/08 ($785,000) - Charging Parties are Yemeni Muslims who worked in low level jobs on a cruise ship. After receiving a report that an Arab employee "was expressing dissatisfaction with Americans," Respondent asked the FBI to investigate Charging Parties. Respondent discharged Charging Parties as "security risks" before the FBI completed its investigation, which found they were not "security risks."

2007

Maersk: filed 9/30/05 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 10/3/06 ($20,000) - Charging Party worked for a private shipping company as a sailor. He alleges that he was subjected to comments ("terrorist" and "camel jockey") and was not rehired by defendant because of his national origin, Yemeni.

Mid-State Petroleum d/b/a The Pop Shop: filed 9/28/06 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 3/4/07 ($40,000) - Charging Party is Muslim and was not hired as a clerk in a convenience store because her religious head covering violated defendant's dress code.

AAA Parking: filed 9/21/06 by the Atlanta District Office, resolved 6/7/07 ($29,500) - Charging Party is Muslim. She was fired from her cashier job after showing up to work wearing a head covering in recognition of the religious holiday of Ramadan.

Alamo Rent A Car: filed 9/27/02 by the Phoenix District Office, resolved 6/11/07 ($287,640) - Charging Party is Muslim. She was denied a reasonable accommodation when defendant refused to permit her to cover her head during Ramadan. She was then disciplined, suspended and discharged.

AutoNation: filed 12/8/05 by the Chicago District Office, resolved 6/18/07 ($53,750) - Charging Party, a Turkish Muslim finance manager at a car dealership, was subjected to derogatory comments ("bomb thrower," "camel fucker," "Turkish piece of shit," "turban jockey" and "towel head") because of his national origin, race and religion.

Regency Health Associates: filed 9/28/05 by the Atlanta District Office, resolved 8/1/07 (unfavorable court order) - Charging Party is Muslim. She was not accommodated and was discharged from her medical assistant job because her head covering did not conform to defendant's dress code.

NIBCO, Inc.: filed 9/27/06 by the Dallas District Office, resolved 8/10/07 ($25,000) - Charging Party is Turkish and observes the Islamic religion. He was subjected to post 9/11 harassment ("terrorist" and "Osama bin Laden's nephew").

Sheffield Financial: filed 10/11/06 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 8/21/07 ($20,000) - Charging Party is Egyptian. He was hired by defendant and was still in his orientation period when defendant discharged him because of his accent.

Omni Hotels: filed 8/16/04 by the Dallas District Office, resolved 9/26/07 (unfavorable court order) - Charging Party is an Arab Muslim. He was employed by defendant as the general manager of a hotel. After 9/11, his responsibilities were reduced, and after complaining to defendant, he was discharged.

2006

Sabic Americas: filed 9/29/05 by the Houston District Office, resolved 11/1/05 ($255,000) - Charging Party is Syrian. She was discharged after complaining that her wages were lower than other employees because of her national origin and gender.

Burger King: filed 3/29/04 by the New York District Office, resolved 11/23/05 (unfavorable court order) - Defendant discharged five Arab American employees after 9/11.

Rite-Aid Pharmacy, #1411: filed 7/22/03 by the Philadelphia District Office, resolved 12/14/05 (unfavorable court order) - Charging Party is Muslim. She was terminated after requesting time off for religious purposes.

Specialty Publishing Company: filed 5/2/05 by the Chicago District Office, resolved 2/1/06 ($12,500) - Charging Party is an Indian Muslim. He was subjected to harassment (accused of disrespecting females, excessive monitoring) and discharged.

Lithia Subaru of Oregon City: filed 9/24/05 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 3/7/06 ($360,000) - Charging Party is an Iranian Muslim. He was harassed ("terrorist" and "camel jockey") and constructively discharged.

Kempsville Building Materials: filed 9/29/05 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 4/13/06 ($7,000) - Charging Party is Iranian and observes the Muslim religion. He was subjected to harassment ("terrorist" and jokes about bombs), unequal terms and conditions of employment, unequal wages and constructively discharged.

2005

Applied Graphics Technologies: filed 9/30/03 by the New York District Office, resolved 10/13/04 (injunctive relief) - Charging Party is Lebanese. He was falsely accused of inappropriate comments and unprofessional conduct and was suspended and discharged.

Worcester Art Museum: filed 9/30/02 by the New York District Office, resolved 10/21/04 ($60,000) - Charging Party is an Afghan American Muslim. He was fired from his job as a security guard after 9/11 when one of his coworkers reported him to the FBI as a suspected terrorist.

Bechtel: filed 9/30/03 by the Philadelphia District Office, resolved 12/8/04 ($90,000) - Charging Party is Iraqi. He was subjected to harassment ("Arab") and told go back where he came from. He futilely complained to defendant officials about the conduct and was terminated.

Norwegian American Hospital: filed 4/7/03 by the Chicago District Office, resolved 1/24/05 ($40,000) - Charging Party is Islamic. She was subjected to comments about her religious beliefs from her manager. After she complained, the comments intensified, and she was disciplined and discharged.

Trans States Airlines: filed 7/17/03 by the St. Louis District Office, resolved 2/9/05 (unfavorable court order) - Charging Party is an Islamic Fijian Pacific Islander. He was discharged from his position as a co-pilot a week after 9/11.

Pesce: filed 7/10/03 by the Houston District Office, resolved 3/3/05 ($150,000) - Charging Party is Egyptian. He worked for defendant as a general manager of a restaurant. Shortly after 9/11, defendant's owner began making derogatory comments to Charging Party that he "could pass" for Hispanic and that he should change his name to something Latin. He was fired after the owner linked Charging Party's Egyptian name and physical appearance to a decline in business after 9/11.

Smith's Food & Drug: filed 9/29/04 by the Phoenix District Office, resolved 4/21/05 ($15,000) - Charging Party worked for defendant as a pharmacy assistant. He was subjected to derogatory comments relating to 9/11 (Al Qaeda, questions about bomb-making) because of his national origin (Middle Eastern, Iranian). After complaining about the harassment, Charging Party was discharged.

Koch Performance Asphalt: filed 5/27/05 by the Los Angeles District Office, resolved 5/27/05 ($200,000) - Charging Party is Pakistani. He was harassed ("Mr. bin Laden" and "terrorist") and constructively discharged.

The Plaza Hotel: filed 9/30/03 by the New York District Office, resolved 6/7/05 ($525,000) - Charging Parties are a class of Muslim, Arab and South Asian employees. They were subjected to harassment ("Osama," "Taliban," "terrorist," and "dumb Muslim").

Oberto Sausage Company: filed 1/5/05 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 7/1/05 ($362,000) - Charging Parties are Muslim and were denied reasonable accommodations to take breaks for religious observances and discharged because of religion.

Russell Enterprises d/b/a McDonalds: filed 2/5/05 by the Charlotte District Office, resolved 8/5/05 ($25,000) - Charging Party is Islamic. He was denied a religious accommodation to defendant's requirement that he be clean shaven.

Streater-Smith Honda: filed 8/25/04 by the Houston District Office, resolved 8/31/05 (unfavorable court order) - Charging Party is an Indian Muslim. After 9/11, coworkers and supervisors began to refer to Charging Party as "Taliban." His complaints were dismissed and he was discharged.

Sako Corporation: filed 9/16/04 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 9/30/05 ($1,087,337 default judgment) -Charging Parties were not hired because of national origin, Arab, Afghan, or Middle Eastern.

2004

Cannon and Wendt: filed 9/27/02 by the Phoenix District Office, resolved 10/24/03 ($25,000) - Charging Party is Muslim. He was denied an accommodation for daily prayer breaks.

SOS Security Company: filed 9/12/01 by the Philadelphia District Office, resolved 3/9/04 ($7000) - Charging Party was discharged because of his religion (Muslim).

Tatley Grund, Inc.: filed 9/30/03 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 3/22/04 ($35,500) - Charging Party is Iraqi. He was hired by defendant as a laborer and was subjected to harassment ("Saddam Hussein," "camel eater," and "terrorist") from his coworkers. After complaining, he was given difficult and demeaning assignments and was discharged.

Sequa Corporation d/b/a Chromalloy Castings: filed 9/30/02 by the Miami District Office, resolved 3/31/04 ($52,000) - Charging Party is Palestinian. He was discharged days after 9/11.

White Auto Sales d/b/a Fairfield Toyota: filed 4/1/02 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 4/1/04 ($550,000) - Charging Parties were harassed ("the bin Laden gang," "sand niggers," "terrorists," and "camel jockeys"), discharged and/or constructively discharged because of their national origin (Afghan) and religion (Muslim).

Aargus Security Systems: filed 8/12/03 by the Chicago District Office, resolved 5/2/04 ($70,000) - Charging Party is from Jordan. After 9/11, he was disciplined, suspended and reassigned.

Airgas Carbonic: filed 9/29/03 by the Philadelphia District Office, resolved 6/3/04 (unfavorable court order) - Charging Party was discharged because of his national origin, Palestine.

Poggenphol U.S.: filed 8/19/03 by the New York District Office, resolved 7/2/04 ($162,500) - Charging Party is an Egyptian Muslim. She was harassed ("Mrs. Osama bin Laden") by a coworker and was terminated in retaliation for complaining of her treatment.

Amycel Spawnmate: filed 7/13/04 by the Philadelphia District Office, resolved 9/14/04 ($152,500) - Charging Party was harassed ("terrorist" and "Osama bin Laden") by his supervisor because of his national origin, Middle Eastern, and then discharged in retaliation for complaining of his treatment.

Alamo Rent A Car: filed 9/2/2003 by the Atlanta District Office, resolved 9/15/04 (voluntary dismissal) - Charging Parties are Muslim. They were denied hire because of the traditional dress they wore.

2003

Brookdale Living Communities of Texas: filed 9/27/02 by the Dallas District Office, resolved 3/5/03 ($15,000) - Charging Party was discharged because of religion, Muslim.

The Herrick Corporation d/b/a Stockton Steel: filed 1/18/00 by the San Francisco District Office, resolved 3/18/03 ($1.11 million) - Four Charging Parties were hassled during their daily Muslim prayer obligations, mocked because of their traditional dress and repeatedly called "camel jockey" and "raghead" based on their national origin (Pakistani) and religion (Islam).

2002

Motorola, Inc.: filed 9/28/01 by the Chicago District Office, resolved 1/10/02 ($60,000) - defendant refused to provide a religion accommodation to 2 Muslim customer service representatives who needed to leave work for a short time on Friday afternoons to attend prayers at a Mosque and discharged the employees.

American Airlines: filed 8/28/02 by the Chicago District Office, resolved 9/3/02 - defendant did not hire Charging Party and other females as passenger service agents because their religion (Muslim0 required them to wear head coverings.