An employee in Florida had arranged his work schedule to ensure he was able to visit church on a Sunday. However, when he didn’t arrive for a Sunday shift, he was fired.
After a legal battle on the grounds of religious discrimination, the company now owes him $50,000.
The former employee launched a lawsuit against Tampa Bay Delivery Service LLC – a partner of Amazon.
They denied any wrongdoing, but agreed to hire a religious coordinator, and provide better training to managers and dispatchers.
The man claims he told the company that he could not work on Sundays because he is a Christian and attends church on Sundays. According to the lawsuit, he agreed to work on Saturdays. However, despite making his religious beliefs clear, he was still scheduled to work on a Sunday.
When he didn't arrive for his shift, the company fired him, despite the earlier agreement.
The company was forced to pay the former worker $25,000 in back pay and $25,000 in compensatory damages.
They have also been forced to create an “anti-religious discrimination policy” and provide 90-minutes of in-person training on religious discrimination to all managers and supervisors.
Robert E. Weisberg, regional attorney for the EEOC Miami Distric said: “We commend Tampa Bay Delivery Service for working collaboratively with EEOC to resolve this lawsuit.
“The company’s willingness to address EEOC’s concerns will help in preventing future employees from being forced to choose between employment and a religious belief."