Religious discrimination in the work place has been documented to have risen steadily by up to 60% over the last five years. This discrimination, especially towards American Muslims, is expected to continue to rise over the next few years. The religious discrimination was documented in the form of hate language, ethnic slurs directed towards the victims and the placement of bans on prayer breaks and head scarves in the workplace.

Whether you are practicing Muslim or practice any other religion, religious discrimination in the workplace is illegal in the United States. All employees are protected by federal and state laws which govern hostility and discrimination towards others based on their religion. Discrimination can be systemic, in the case of employee guidelines prohibiting prayer breaks or head scarves or can occur in public between employees. Religious discrimination may be subtle and occur without such as when an employer in a private conversation with an employee utters subtle comments or indirectly discriminative actions.

Employers are legally obligated to hire and treat all employees equally and fairly. In California, most employment agreements are considered legally to be 'at will'. At will employment means that the employer or the employee are legally allowed to terminate the employment relationship for any legal reason with or without cause. At will termination is prohibited, however if it is based on an unlawful reason such as one's religion. Anyone terminated from or abused in the workplace for unlawful reasons may be entitled to recover damages from the employer or employees perpetrating the unlawful action. You do not even have to be fired to collect damages. There is a legal term called constructive wrongful termination, which occurs when an employee is not fired but is forced to quit because of the negative conditions of employment.

If you have been the victim of religious discrimination in the workplace contact a professional lawyer immediately. Religious discrimination claims require exhaustive documentation and many levels of negotiation that the average person is ill-equipped to perform. Professional lawyers can not only gather documentation but can also negotiate a settlement or take the claim to trial if need be. There are time limits, called statutes of limitations, governing how much time one has legally to file a religious discrimination claim. Take action sooner rather than later and help not only yourself, but potentially set a legal precedent that will help other victims in the future.