A North Carolina IHOP restaurant has been ordered to pay $40,000 to a former employee as reparation for violating his religious beliefs after he was forced to work on Sundays. This resolution was announced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC previously filed a lawsuit on the employee’s behalf in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in 2023.
The employee, who was hired as a cook in 2021, had received a religious accommodation at the time of hire that allowed him not to work on Sundays, in line with his religious observances. However, this was later violated by a change in management in April 2021, which led to his firing. The general manager also reportedly made derogatory comments about the employee prioritizing his religion over his job. This conduct is in contravention of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which safeguards individuals from religious discrimination and retaliation and mandates religious accommodations in the workplace, according to the EEOC.
To resolve the lawsuit, franchise owner Suncakes will not only be required to pay the damages but also provide annual training to managers on the Title VII provisions, post a notice about the settlement to employees, and amend its existing policies to directly include protection for religious accommodations. These changes will be implemented across all 17 IHOP locations operated by Suncakes in North Carolina.