Christian Employee's Title VII Objections To Ramadan Accommodation Dismissed

In Ross v. Colorado Department of Transportation, (D CO, Nov. 14, 2012), a Colorado federal district court dismissed a Christian employee's Title VII claims for hostile work environment, failure to accommodate, discrimination, and retaliation. Plaintiff complained that his religious rights were infringed when a staff appreciation luncheon was rescheduled so that it would not take place during Ramadan, and when unit employees were invited by e-mail to have bagels and cream cheese in the cafeteria to mark the end of Ramadan. He contended that the Department was accommodating to Muslim proselytization and practices in the workplace. The court ordered further briefing on defendant's 11th Amendment defense to constitutional claims that were also asserted.