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MEDIA ADVISORY

CAIR-Cincinnati to Announce EEOC Complaints Against DHL for Firing 24 Muslim Workers Over Prayers

(CINCINNATI, 11/7/13) -- Later today, the Cincinnati chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cincinnati) will hold a news conference to announce the filing of an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) civil rights complaint on behalf of 24 former workers at the DHL Global Mail facility in Hebron, Ky., who were fired for exercising their legally protected religious rights.

CAIR-Cincinnati says the DHL workers were dismissed from their jobs for asserting their right to reasonable accommodation for their religious practices, including daily prayer.

WHAT: CAIR-Cincinnati to Announce Filing of EEOC Complaint Against DHL for Firing Muslim Workers
WHEN: Thursday, November 7, 1 p.m.
WHERE: CAIR-Cincinnati Office, 10999 Reed Hartman Highway, Suite 207
Cincinnati, OH 45242
CONTACT: CAIR-Cincinnati Executive Director Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, kdabdoub@cair.com; CAIR-Cincinnati Staff Attorney Booker Washington, 513-281-8200, bwashington@cair.com

"CAIR has informed the company of its obligation under the law to reasonably accommodate these workers' religious practices," said CAIR-Cincinnati Executive Director Karen Dabdoub. "Instead of abiding by the law and doing the right thing, DHL has decided to stand behind their violation of these workers' civil rights."

Video: Muslim Workers Say They Were Fired For Praying (USA Today/ Cincinnati Enquirer)

Background:

On October 9, DHL Global Mail fired a group of 24 workers, some of whom had been working at DHL for up to 6 years, for refusing to accept a new workplace rule that violated their rights under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

In this case, the DHL workers had been using their break time to perform the evening (Maghrib) prayer. The company reportedly decided to eliminate flexible break times, thereby preventing the men and women from practicing their faith. When the workers asserted their legal rights, they were all fired.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing and other terms and conditions of employment. The act also requires employers to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee, unless doing so would create an "undue hardship" for the employer.

CAIR has helped resolve a number of similar cases involving prayer in the workplace and offers a booklet, called "An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," to help corporate managers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Cincinnati Executive Director Karen Dabdoub, 513-281-8200, kdabdoub@cair.com; CAIR-Cincinnati Staff Attorney Booker Washington, 513-281-8200, bwashington@cair.com