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Friday, July 30, 2004
Indiana Decisions - Federal court (SD Ind) issues reasonable accomodation ruling
Gregory S. Fox v. Lear Corp. (7/28/04 SD Ind.)
United States Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for their employees when an employee’s bone fide religious practice conflicts with a job requirement. Plaintiff Gregory S. Fox advised his employer, Defendant Lear Corporation, that his religious beliefs prevented him from working on his Sabbath -- from sundown Saturday to sundown Sunday. Several discussions and an EEOC charge later, Fox and Lear agreed on an accommodation that would allow Fox to work on weekends when required by Lear but avoid Fox’s Sabbath. The accommodation worked for awhile, but due to his desire to work overtime, Fox later insisted that Lear not only accommodate him for those weekends when work was mandatory, but also those weekends in which work was voluntary. This lawsuit followed. As set forth below, the bounds of Title VII do not stretch as far as Fox contends. * * *Conclusion. Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is granted with respect to all claims. Final judgment shall be entered accordingly. Costs are awarded to the Defendant.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 30, 2004 11:24 AM
Posted to Indiana Decisions