Dive Brief:
- A federal judge denied a motion from JBS USA for a summary judgment in a religious discrimination and retaliation case brought against the meat processor by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- According to the agency, JBS USA did not allow its Muslim employees to pray in accordance with their religion or take their breaks around needing to fast and pray at certain times of day for Ramadan in 2008.
- The judge "rejected the company’s argument relating to the alleged undue burden of accommodating the workers," according to Meat + Poultry.
Dive Insight:
This term, employment law was a focus for the Supreme Court, which heard a case similar to that of JBS USA involving clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. Abercrombie & Fitch was accused of discriminating against a Muslim woman when the company refused to hire her allegedly because the headdress she wore per her religious customs would be against a company dress code policy concerning headwear.