News & Observer - "Muslim employee asked off for religious holiday. His company fired him, NC suit says"
News Story Featuring Our Raleigh Employment Lawyers
Our team of Raleigh employment attorneys was featured in an article by Hayley Fowler in the News & Observer on December 20, 2019. The news story documents our employment lawyers’ quest for justice on behalf of a client who we contended was a victim of discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment based on his Muslim faith.
From the article:
“Hussein Altaweel worked for a telecommunications contractor in North Carolina for almost four years before he was fired “for not request(ing) PTO ahead of time for planned events,” according to a lawsuit filed in federal court Thursday.
The “planned event” was Eid al-Adha — a major religious holiday for practicing Muslims — on Aug. 23 and 24, 2018, the complaint states.
“We have our own holidays in this country,” the CEO told him, according to the complaint. “Aren’t those holidays enough for you?”
In a statement provided to McClatchy News on Friday, attorney Joseph Budd of Osborn Gambale Beckley & Budd PLLC said Altaweel is “looking forward to having his story heard.”
“As a volunteer interpreter for the Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mr. Altaweel risked his life for this country. He did that and subsequently became a citizen because he believes in our country’s promise that he will be able to pursue a career based solely on his abilities and free from the influence of prejudice,” Budd said.
“Unfortunately, his former employer did not live up to our ideals, promise, or law.”
Altaweel makes claims for discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment. He’s seeking economic and punitive damages as well as attorneys’ fees.”
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