SAN DIEGO — Universal Protection Services LP, a private security services company, has reached a $90,000 settlement for a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit alleging religious discrimination over the firing of a Muslim security guard.
Universal Protection Services, doing business as Allied Universal Security Services, was sued by the EEOC after pre-litigation settlement attempts had failed for violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The suit alleges a Muslim security guard seeking a modification to the company's grooming policy, was fired two days after making his request to the company.
"The EEOC commends Allied Universal Security Services for agreeing to comprehensive injunctive remedies including in-person training and monitoring to ensure that future religious discrimination will not occur," said Anna Park, regional attorney for EEOC's Los Angeles District, in a news release. "We hope other companies take their lead in addressing religious accommodation issues."
"The EEOC is encouraged that Allied Universal recognizes that employees should be free to exercise their religious practices without fear of being discharged," said EEOC San Diego director Christopher Green in a statement. "The EEOC is committed to ensuring that reasonable religious accommodations are provided to workers who require them."
The settlement also includes Allied Universal retaining an equal employment monitor, reviewing and revising the company's religious accommodation policies and practices, providing annual EEO training for those involved in the religious accommodation process, posting an employee notice and to begin record keeping and reporting to the EEOC.