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Employment Law
Constructive Discharge
Religion Discrimination

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Sierra Pacific Industries

Published: May 16, 2009 | Result Date: Dec. 24, 2008 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 07CV02005(JAM) Settlement –  $110,000

Facts

Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit on behalf of Luciano Cortez after he was terminated from defendant Sierra Pacific Industries for refusing to work on the Sabbath. EEOC filed suit for discrimination based on religion.

Contentions

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
EEOC contended that Sierra Pacific failed to provide Cortez with reasonable accommodations for his religious beliefs and thereby discriminated against him based on religion.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Sierra Pacific denied that it discriminated against Cortez and contended that it made reasonable accommodations to Cortez.

Result

The parties settled for $110,000. Sierra Pacific agreed to reinstate Cortez and provide training concerning employment discrimination.


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