Religious Discrimination Suit On Behalf of Fired Santeria Employee Settled

According to today's Fayetteville (NC) Observer, the manufacturer GKN Dirveline North America has settled a religious discrimination lawsuit filed against it by the EEOC just a week before the suit was to go to trial. The company had been charged with failing to accommodate the religious beliefs of a Santeria employee who refused to submit a saliva sample for drug testing, but offered to undergo an alternative form of testing. Dismissed employee Dwayne Butler believes he can only provide saliva for a religious purpose. The company will pay $36,432 in damages, provide training on religious discrimination and post a notice concerning employee rights.