McDonald’s To Pay $50,000 To Muslim Employee In Discrimination Lawsuit

Dec. 22, 2013

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — McDonald’s has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit that claimed it discriminated against a Muslim employee in Fresno who wasn’t allowed to grow a beard. 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says the settlement was reached Thursday with McDonald’s Restaurants of California.

According to the suit, Shaheed Khan was a crew trainer at a Fresno McDonald’s in 2005 when he asked to wear a beard to work, citing religious beliefs. He quit after the request was refused.

The commission filed a lawsuit alleging civil rights violations. Under the settlement, McDonald’s agreed to pay $50,000 to Shaheen and to reinforce training of its managers and staff on existing anti-discrimination policies.

The company didn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing.

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