Jury Awards $240,000 to Muslim Workers Fired for Refusal to Transport Beer

A jury has awarded two Muslim men $240,000 after they were fired
from Star Transport Inc. for refusing to transport beer because of their
religious beliefs. EEOC v. Star Transport Inc., No. 13-1240 (C.D. Ill., jury
verdict submitted October 21, 2015). Each man will receive $20,000 for
mental or emotional pain and $100,000 in punitive damages. The court
also awarded each $1,500 in back pay.

“We are pleased that the jury recognized that these—and all—employees
are entitled to observe and practice their faith, no matter what that might
be,” EEOC Supervisory Trial Attorney Diane Smason said in an October
22, 2015, press release.

Issue 582