Hank’s Furniture to Pay $110,000 in EEOC Religious Discrimination Settlement

Background:

MOBILE, Ala. – Hank’s Furniture, Inc. (HFI), a nationwide furniture retailer, will pay $110,000 and provide other relief to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Allegations:

The lawsuit stems from an incident involving a former assistant manager at HFI’s Pensacola, Florida, location. The employee informed the company that her religious beliefs prevented her from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Instead of engaging in a discussion to explore potential accommodations, management ignored her requests and questioned the validity of her religious beliefs.

Furthermore, HFI summarily denied the employee’s accommodation requests without considering alternatives that could allow her to maintain her employment while adhering to her religious convictions. This resulted in her termination, which the EEOC argued was a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Settlement:

The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Hank’s Furniture, Inc., Case No. 3:23-cv-24533-MCR-HTC) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida after attempts to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process failed. Under the three-year consent decree settling the case, HFI will pay $110,000 in compensatory damages and back pay to the former employee. Additionally, HFI will adopt and implement a written policy to ensure that religious accommodation requests are interpreted broadly in accordance with EEOC guidance. The company will also provide training to decision-makers, managers, and employees on Title VII’s provisions regarding religious accommodation and anti-discrimination.

Conclusion:

This settlement emphasizes the importance of employers accommodating employees' sincerely held religious beliefs, especially in challenging circumstances like a pandemic. HFI’s agreement to pay damages and implement policy changes highlights the necessity of adherence to federal anti-discrimination laws.