(ATLANTA, GA, 2/5/2019) – The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia) today announced that it has reached an agreement that successfully resolves a federal discrimination complaint the Muslim civil rights organization filed against an Augusta restaurant chain last year.
In February 2019, CAIR-Georgia filed a federal discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Farmhaus Burger on behalf of Augusta resident Lacey Enevoldsen.
SEE: Augusta Woman Files Discrimination Complaint Over Muslim Head Covering
According to the complaint, Lacey resigned her position after allegedly experiencing mistreatment in the workplace when she converted to Islam and asked for permission to wear a hijab (Islamic head scarf).
Last month, CAIR-Georgia and Farmhaus Burger resolved the complaint by reaching an amicable resolution approved by the EEOC, the federal agency that investigates complaints of illegal workplace discrimination. The terms of the resolution are confidential.
“We thank the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for investigating this matter, and we thank Farmhaus Burger for working with us to reach a just resolution,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR Georgia. “We also applaud Lacey Enevoldsen, a courageous young woman who bravely stood up for her rights.”
In a statement, CAIR-Georgia client Lacey Enevoldsen said:
“Today, I am relieved to announce that Farmhaus Burger and I have amicably resolved the complaint that I filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last year.
“Although I cannot discuss the details of our resolution, I can express confidence that employees and patrons of Farmhaus Burger will not experience anti-Muslim bias or other forms of bias in the future.
“Going forward, I hope that members of the public will continue to patronize and enjoy the restaurant, and I pray that all of us will move on from this experience as better people.
“Finally, I want to thank my family, my friends, and other members of the Augusta community who supported me throughout this process. I also thank CAIR-Georgia and the EEOC for investigating this matter, listening to my concerns, and helping us reach a just resolution.”
Over the past three years, CAIR Georgia has documented a rise in statewide anti-Muslim employment discrimination, which constitute the clear majority of discrimination complaints received in Georgia.
Khwaja added, “We hope that what happened in Augusta will lead many more employees to stand up for their rights, and lead many more employers to follow the laws of our nation, which forbid religious discrimination in the workplace.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Georgia Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]