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EEOC settlement costs Las Vegas casino $850K

A Las Vegas casino resort operator recently agreed to pay $850,000 and implement sweeping policy reforms to resolve a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging religious discrimination and retaliation. The EEOC alleged that the resort failed to accommodate the sincerely held religious beliefs of a class of employees, and punished those who objected — allegedly through discipline, denied promotions, or termination.

The lawsuit, filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, stemmed from discrimination charges. After pre-litigation resolution attempts failed, the EEOC moved forward with litigation in federal court.

Under the three-year consent decree: (1) The resort must train all employees and supervisors on employee rights and employer obligations regarding religious accommodations; (2) a third-party monitor will oversee policy changes and ensure compliance; and (3) the resort must revise complaint procedures and track religious accommodation efforts.

EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas recently noted:

The law protects the rights of workers in our pluralistic society to live out their various faiths in the workplace. As this case shows, reasonable accommodation might look like, among other things, allowing certain days off for Sabbatarians or Buddhists and allowing beards for Orthodox Christians. It also means not punishing anyone who speaks out in favor of these rights.

Contact us today at 248.477.6300 if your organization needs help ensuring legal compliance. Waiting until the filing of a lawsuit or EEOC charge is not a winning bet!