Federal government sues McDonald’s in Florida for telling a Hasidic Jew he couldn’t have a job

Florida McDonald’s that refused to hire a Hasidic Jew unless he shaved his beard is sued by the federal government

  • EEOC is suing a McDonald’s franchise in Florida after a Hasidic Jew was told to shave his beard to get a job as a part-time maintenance worker three years ago
  • Chalfont & Associates Group, Inc., owns multiple McDonald’s restaurants including the Longwood branch involved
  • The manager stated the brand’s completely clean shaven’ employee policy
  • He offered to wear a hair net but was denied the opportunity
  • The alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination based on religion 
  • Seek back pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages and  injunctive relief 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is suing a McDonald’s franchise after a Hasidic Jew man was told to shave his beard if he was to be employed by them.

Chalfont & Associates Group, Inc., owns multiple McDonald’s restaurants in Central Florida and the EEOC said the company violated federal law, in a suit filed Wednesday claims.

The incident took place three years ago when the unidentified man went for a job as a maintenance man at the Longwood branch.

EEOC is suing a McDonald’s franchise in Florida after a Hasidic Jew was told to shave his beard to get a job as a part-time maintenance worker three years ago

The man refused to shave his facial hair for the part-time role due to his religious beliefs after the hiring manager told him McDonald’s grooming policy states ‘[a]ll employees must be completely clean shaven.’

He was denied the option to wear a beard net as a solution, and now the EEOC seeks back pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, plus injunctive relief.

The alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits dis­crimination based on religion.

It requires employers to reasonably accommodate an applicant’s or employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, unless it poses an undue hardship.

Chalfont & Associates Group, Inc., owns multiple McDonald's restaurants including the Longwood branch involved and the alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination based on religion

Chalfont & Associates Group, Inc., owns multiple McDonald’s restaurants including the Longwood branch involved and the alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination based on religion

The EEOC had tried to reach a pre-litigation settlement through a conciliation process before filing the suit in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division.

‘The fact that McDonald’s has grooming policies does not exempt them from following the law,’ said EEOC Regional Attorney Robert Weisberg. 

‘McDonald’s was aware the applicant could not shave his beard for religious reasons, but refused to accommodate his religious beliefs. Employers should never force applicants to choose between their sincerely held religious beliefs, which can be reasonably accommodated, and earning a living.’

Michael Farrell, district director for the Miami District Office, said, ‘The employer’s conduct in this case was unjustified and unlawful.

DailyMail.com reached out to McDonald’s for comment but did not immediately receive a response on Friday.

 

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