On July 17, 2019, Bianca Boyd, a former medical assistant at Copper University Hospital in New Jersey, sued her former employer for religious bias, as well as violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, and retaliation.
Ms. Boyd alleges that her supervisor told her she would not be allowed a religious accommodation to wear a niqab, a garment that covers the face, unless she “bought in note from the Quran [sic].” A few months later, her supervisor saw her wearing the niqab and informed her that hospital policy prohibited the niqab because patients must be able to see Ms. Boyd’s face.
In addition to the alleged religious discriminatory event, Ms. Boyd noted that she was discriminated against for her disability or a perceived disability. In June 2017, Ms. Boyd fell unconscious while at work. Ms. Boyd sought medical treatment and had numerous appointments related to this condition. Although Ms. Boyd’s manager appeared supportive, Ms. Boyd alleges that the manager used her numerous medical appointments to give her a poor attendance evaluation.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent employers in connection with employment-related litigation, including lawsuits brought under the ADA, FMLA, and Title VII, as well as investigations by the EEOC. If you have any questions related to such matters, please call us at (404) 262-6505.