US federal watchdog sues Chick-fil-A operator for religious discrimination
BBC • • business
Key Points:
- The US government, through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), is suing Chick-fil-A franchisee Hatch Trick Inc for allegedly denying an employee's request to have Saturdays off for religious reasons.
- The employee, a member of the United Church of God who observes the Sabbath on Saturday, requested this accommodation during her August 2023 job interview, which was initially honored but later revoked in February 2024.
- Hatch Trick reportedly told the employee she could not maintain her managerial role without working Saturdays and offered her a lower-paying delivery driver position instead, despite her proposals for alternative accommodations.
- Chick-fil-A corporate stated that employment decisions are made by individual franchise owners and declined further comment, while the company generally allows employees to observe the Sabbath by closing on Sundays.