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Friday, December 04, 2009
Ind. Courts - "Sikh sues shuttle operator that wouldn't hire him: Airport contractor won't let drivers work with a beard, turban"
Bruce C. Smith reported in the Dec. 3rd Indianapolis Star:
A Greenwood man whose Sikh faith requires him to wear a beard and turban is suing an airport shuttle company, claiming he was denied a job because of his religion.In the 11-page lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana, Inderjit Singh claims Air Serv Corp., which provides shuttle bus services at airports across the country, rejected his application to be a driver because he wouldn't work without his turban and beard.
"I just want to work and earn a living, but Air Serv refused to give me a chance even after they understood that a turban and a beard are an integral part of my faith," Singh said in a statement from attorneys at California-based Public Justice. * * *
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated Singh's complaint and found that he "was denied employment because (the company) was unwilling to accommodate his need to wear a turban and beard." The EEOC finding is included in court filings. * * *
[His local attorney, Kimberly D. Jeselskis] said Singh worked without a problem in similar jobs at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Indianapolis International Airport officials said the airport management does not get involved in hiring decisions by independent contractors.
The suit, which alleges violations of the Civil Rights Act that prohibits discrimination based on race, religion and other factors, asks for back pay for the two years since his application, plus punitive damages.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on December 4, 2009 10:14 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts