US Sues Chick-fil-A Franchisee Over Alleged Religious Discrimination
The US government has sued a Chick-fil-A franchisee in Texas over allegations of denying an employee religious accommodation related to Sabbath observance.
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The US government has filed a lawsuit against a Chick-fil-A franchisee in Texas over allegations that an employee was denied religious accommodation related to Sabbath observance.
According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the lawsuit alleges that Hatch Trick Inc violated federal law by refusing to accommodate an employee’s request not to work on Saturdays for religious reasons.
The employee was reportedly a member of the United Church of God, which observes the Sabbath on Saturdays, BBC reported.
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Dispute Over Sabbath Shifts:
The EEOC said the employee initially informed the company during her August 2023 job interview that she could not work on Saturdays due to her religious beliefs.
According to the complaint, the company honoured the request for several months before requiring her to begin Saturday shifts in February 2024.
The employee worked as a manager overseeing delivery drivers at a Chick-fil-A location in Austin, Texas.
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EEOC Alleges Religious Bias:
Court documents cited by the EEOC stated that she worked approximately 45 to 50 hours per week from Monday to Friday, along with some additional Sunday hours.
The EEOC alleged that when the employee requested continued religious accommodation, management informed her she could not retain her managerial role without working Saturdays.
According to the complaint, the company instead offered her a delivery driver role that involved lower pay, fewer benefits and reduced working hours.
The employee reportedly proposed several alternative accommodations, including assigning a driver to dispatch duties on Saturdays and beginning work only after sundown.
The EEOC said the company terminated her employment after she refused to accept the reassigned position.
Commenting on the case, Norma Guzman said, “Religious discrimination in the workplace is unlawful, and employers must make reasonable accommodations for employees’ sincerely held beliefs.”
Chick-fil-A told ABC affiliate KVUE that employment decisions at franchise locations are handled independently by individual restaurant owners.
The case highlights growing scrutiny around workplace religious accommodation policies and employer obligations under US anti-discrimination laws.
