DETROIT — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against automaker FCA US, LLC—parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram—alleging that the company illegally terminated a Jewish employee for observing Shabbos and the Yom Tov of Pesach.
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According to the federal lawsuit, the employee had previously received religious accommodations that allowed him to avoid working on Shabbos. However, the company later instituted mandatory Saturday shifts, effectively rescinding that accommodation. The worker, described as a Shomer Shabbos Jew, was disciplined repeatedly for his refusal to work on Shabbos, despite his requests for religious accommodation.
The situation escalated when FCA denied his request to take two unpaid days off for the first days of Pesach. The employee, choosing to uphold his religious obligations, did not report to work. The company responded by terminating his employment.
“Employees have a right to request reasonable religious accommodations without fear of punishment or termination,” said EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas. “Firing someone for asserting those rights violates federal civil rights laws.”
The EEOC’s suit, filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan, charges FCA with violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees from religious discrimination and retaliation. The agency noted that it attempted to resolve the matter privately through its conciliation process before resorting to litigation.
I can fully appreciate that plaintiff’s problem, as I experienced the identical problems from various individuals in the labor force. They could not appreciate the fact that when I left work earlier (with prior authorization), on Fridays during the winter months, and took off for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot, Pesach, and Shevouth, the time for taking off for those religious holidays came out of my accrued vacation time, and personal leave time. I even had to repeatedly show a letter from the local Federation (year after year) explaining each of those holidays.
Even when I took time off for Shiva, I went to the local library which had a large Judaica section, and photocopied numerous pages regarding the laws of Shiva, and left it on my Supervisor’s desk. I had tsouris when I came back from Shiva, as one despicable employee was mocking my beard. I went to the Commissioner of that governmental agency, who was Jewish, and he reprimanded that person, for her big mouth. One person even told me “Why should you receive time off for (certain holidays), as you always take off for the Jewish holidays”. In other words, in their minds, I was less of an American than they were when I was off on Memorial Day and July 4th. Also, it was acceptable for some workers to repeatedly hit the bottle, and call in sick and not report to work, because of their hangovers.
At Lackland Air Force Base, the general in charge of the base at the time that I was stationed there, issued an order mandating that all Jewish military personnel be given time off for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I had to remind one nasty Black Sergeant who was not familiar with that order. He became testy and resentful, and claimed he never saw that order. However, one of his subordinates eventually found that order. Yet, that individual didn’t have the courtesy to admit that he was wrong.
My experience has been, that Jewish employers who [think they] know all the loopholes, absolutely won’t let you take off even 1 moment of Chol haMoed nor Purim nor Tischo b’Ov, whereas Nochrim will also respect these so called 1/2 holidays
I don’t know. I work for a frum company.They are closed the full Yom tov including chol hamoed. Yom Kippur and Erev Yom Kippur. Erev pesach. Tisha bav. Purim…. And we get paid for everyday except for your ” on” days of Chol Hamoed…Erev Yom tov, Tanis Esther, The day before Tisha bav we close early but get paid for the full day.
When you do the Rebono Shel Olams will he will do yours.
their products are shomer shabbos seven days a week
As Talmud says, Gentiles have a Shehi Psee (Shabbos Hayom, Peisach Hayom) mentality towards us.
The goyim are a lot more understanding than our own children who expect us to work yomam valayla. I’ve worked in the same job for 20 years.
If this is true then this is a PR nightmare? This is the US government suing and since they refused mediation they will have expensive legal costs. Besides that they will lose out on government grants and work. Also many Jews will boycott Stellantis vehicles if this becomes widely known.
As a general rule EEOC doesn’t take on a case unless it’s easily proven. Perhaps they are looking on going bankrupt and want to blame the government.
Hmmm, Chrysler sounds so similar to a religious leader’s name who also denounced Judaism. Oh Chrysler, if only I could recall that name.