LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Carney R. Shegerian, founder of Shegerian & Associates, a Santa Monica-based law firm specializing in employee rights, has issued a statement commending the California State Government for implementing Assembly Bill 1964, otherwise known as the California Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012 (WRFA), amending the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The amendments went into effect on January 1 of this year and they prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion (or religious creed) and require accommodation of employees religious practices and observances.

AB 1964 specifies that, for purposes of employment discrimination law (including accommodation), religious belief or observance now includes religious dress and grooming practices. The Bill also provides that an accommodation for religious practices is not reasonable if it requires segregation of an employee from customers or the general public.

In the last few years there has been a surprising and unfortunate number of high profile cases pertaining to religious discrimination in the workplace, indicating that this form of discrimination remains an all-too-common scenario, said Shegerian. We applaud the State of California for taking this huge step forward. No employees should ever be discriminated against due to their religious beliefs that is a given but that this Bill helps extend the understanding of religious discrimination to include the employees hair and clothing for religious purposes, goes a long way to protect each employees individual rights.

Shegerian warns that the religious freedom of individuals can and should be protected by law, and he warns organizations that any form of discrimination or harassment of these employees can lead to harsh financial consequences or worse.

An experienced trial attorney, Shegerian has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, representing individuals that have suffered financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including major corporations. Shegerian has built a remarkable career on helping those who have been wronged in the workplace. He remains undefeated in federal jury trials and has won over 60 jury trials, including 23 seven figure verdicts representing employees.

Located Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged by their employers. Richly experienced in labor and employment law and possessing an unparalleled success record as litigators (Carney Shegerian himself has won over 60 jury trials in his career, including 23 seven figure verdicts, and he remains undefeated in federal jury trials), Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information, visit http://www.ShegerianLaw.com.

See the original post here:

Shegerian & Associates Founder Applauds California Workplace Religious Freedom Act