Tag Archives: religious discrimination

Fire Law Roundup for August 14, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 14, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a Rhode Island superior court decision upholding the right of fire districts to charge for plan review; the grant of summary judgment to the defendants ...

Read More »

Religious Discrimination Claims Against Puerto Rico Fire Department Stayed

A religious discrimination lawsuit filed by a firefighter in Puerto Rico has been stayed pursuant to a special law enacted to stabilize Puerto Rico’s economic situation. Danny James-Febo filed suit against the Negociado del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Fire Department), several supervisors, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Read More »

San Francisco Firefighters Fired Over COVID19 Vaccine Mandate File Suit

Twenty-one San Francisco firefighters who were fired for failing to comply with the city’s COVID19 vaccine mandate have filed suit alleging religious discrimination, failure to accommodate religious beliefs under California law, due process violations, and violations of their autonomous privacy rights. The suit was filed in San Francisco County Superior Court.

Read More »

FDNY Prevails in Second Facial Hair Lawsuit

FDNY has prevailed once again in a lawsuit challenging its no-beard policy. In a ruling handed down yesterday, US District Court Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis concluded the OSHA prohibition of facial hair at the SCBA interface serves to create an undue hardship that relieves fire departments of an obligation to grant religious accommodations.

Read More »

Court Upholds Termination of Medic Fired For Lying on Application

A decision to terminate a Georgia paramedic who sought a religious accommodation for facial hair, has been upheld by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals because he falsified his employment application. The case was brought by Bataski Bailey, who was hired and fired by Metro Ambulance Services dba American Medical Response in 2015.

Read More »

Terminated Philly Recruit Alleges Beard-Related Religious Discrimination

A recruit firefighter who was dismissed from the Philadelphia Fire Department’s fire academy in 2019 for refusing to shave his beard, has filed suit alleging religious discrimination. Malcolm Lindsay filed suit alleging religious discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

Read More »

California Firefighter and City Settle Discrimination Suit

A lawsuit accusing the La Habra Heights Fire Department of religious discrimination and sexual harassment, has been settled. Former volunteer firefighter Jared Hartstein filed the suit in LA County Superior Court accusing the department of terrorizing him throughout his five months of training.

Read More »

Muslim Firefighter Challenges FDNY’s No Beard Rule

A Muslim FDNY firefighter who claims the city granted him a religious accommodation from its no beard requirement, and then without cause withdrew it last year, has filed a religious discrimination suit. Steven Daniel filed suit alleging the city’s refusal to continue to allow him to maintain “close-cropped facial hair” constitutes illegal religious discrimination.

Read More »

Judge Denies TRO To Atlantic City Firefighter Over Religious Beard

A US District Court judge has denied a request for a temporary restraining order against the Atlantic City Fire Department to block disciplinary proceedings against a firefighter who has refused to shave his beard due to his religious beliefs. Alexander Smith filed suit claiming the fire department’s rules prohibiting beards discriminates against him on account of his religion.

Read More »

NJ Firefighter Claims Religious Discrimination Over No Beard Rule

A New Jersey firefighter hoping to head off a disciplinary action over his refusal to shave his beard, has filed suit alleging religious discrimination. Atlantic City firefighter Alexander Smith filed suit last week in US District Court for the District of New Jersey claiming the fire department’s rules prohibiting beards discriminates against him on account of his religion.

Read More »