Religion-based protection for workers in New York

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New York, Sep 3 (IANS) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has signed into law a bill initiated by the Sikh Coalition to significantly enhance religion-based protections for employees working in the metropolis.

'Today's law is a major step forward in ensuring Sikhs and other religious minorities are not unfairly excluded from jobs for which they are otherwise qualified,' said Amardeep Singh, programme director and co-founder of the community advocacy group.

Called the 'Workplace Religious Freedom Act', the new law would change the legal standard by which courts review claims of religious workplace discrimination by public and private city employees.

Under previous city law, employers are required to make 'reasonable accommodations' for the religious practices of their employees.

http://www.keralanext.com/news/2011/09/03/article143.asp

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1. Another dispute over religiously required apparel.

Will this trend continue until safety requirements are bent for religious reasons? Should a Sikh be allowed to wear their ceremonial dagger in violation of various state laws regarding weapons at school? Should a turban be allowed on a floor with dangerous machinery?

Dress codes and other such regulations are usually put in place by employers for good reason, and those who cannot or will not adhere to them should be passed over for equally qualified candidates capable of meeting company policy.