Buffalo Wild Wings has agreed to pay $47,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) concerning allegations of religious discrimination. The case stems from a complaint filed by a woman who claimed she was denied a job at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Douglasville, Georgia, due to her religious beliefs, which required her to wear long skirts.
What Happened
The woman, who is a member of the Free Holiness church, alleges that she applied for a server position at the restaurant but was never interviewed or contacted about the job. Although her daughter, who worked at the same location, introduced her mother to the general manager during a work event, the application process did not proceed any further. The woman’s religious beliefs require her to wear skirts that reach ankle-length or below the knee, which she believes contributed to her being unfairly dismissed.
According to the EEOC, the restaurant’s general manager acknowledged that a position was available but allegedly mocked the woman’s religious practices. Additionally, the assistant manager reportedly expressed concerns about hiring someone who wore long skirts, citing the unusual nature of such attire in a sports bar environment.
Who Is Affected?
The unnamed woman, who applied for the server position, believed that her application was unfairly rejected because of her religious attire. The EEOC took action after unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter directly with Buffalo Wild Wings. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees based on their religious beliefs, unless providing accommodation would cause an undue hardship.
Background or Timeline
The incident occurred after the woman submitted her application for a server position at Buffalo Wild Wings. Over the next two months, five new servers were hired, which the woman believed further indicated that her application had been dismissed due to her religious attire. The EEOC filed a lawsuit in federal court after negotiations with the restaurant failed to reach a resolution.
The settlement agreement requires Buffalo Wild Wings to pay $47,500 to the woman and implement several measures to prevent future discrimination. This includes conducting training for managers and HR personnel at the Douglasville location and posting notices in the workplace about employee rights against discrimination.
Public or Social Media Reaction
The settlement has sparked conversation about religious accommodations in the workplace and the importance of protecting employees’ rights. Advocates for religious freedoms and workplace equality have expressed approval of the settlement, highlighting the steps Buffalo Wild Wings is now taking to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for all employees.
Official Statement or What Happens Next
As part of the settlement, Buffalo Wild Wings has committed to regularly updating the EEOC about any requests for religious accommodations and complaints related to religious discrimination or retaliation at the Douglasville location. The EEOC has expressed satisfaction with the settlement and the steps the restaurant is taking to improve its practices and prevent similar violations in the future.
The case serves as an important reminder for employers to ensure that they are fully compliant with anti-discrimination laws and to make reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious practices, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
