SALDEF Conducts Diversity Training for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

150 Employment Discrimination Specialists Learn About Sikh Religious Practices

February 24, 2012 – Earlier this month, SALDEF conducted diversity trainings for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Over 150 members of the EEOC including attorneys, investigators, mediators, and staff were informed about the Sikh faith and religious practices through the course of these trainings. The presentations were conducted on February 1st and February 8th in the EEOC’s district offices of Philadelphia, PA and Los Angeles, CA, respectively. The EEOC is the government agency in charge of enforcing federal employment laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the employee’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. As Sikh Americans face a disproportionate number of challenges in the workplace, SALDEF sought to engage the agency responsible for protecting Sikh Americans in employment settings. The training gave basic information about Sikh beliefs and practices, Sikh American demographics, and common misperceptions about Sikhs and Sikhism, along with recommendations for interacting with the Sikh American community. SALDEF staff discussed the various employment related challenges faced by the Sikh American community and shared examples of cases from different industries and professions. “The training was one of the best which my staff has ever received.  Because of the quality of the presentation and the value of the information relayed, I would encourage all of my counterparts in other parts of the country to take advantage of this kind of training.” — Spencer Lewis, Director, Philadelphia District Office Based on the positive feedback of the presentation, SALDEF has engaged with several additional EEOC district office to conduct similar trainings for their staff. SALDEF believes that through these trainings, employment discrimination cases against Sikh Americans will be more effectively and efficiently handled. SALDEF thanks Paramjit Singh of Cleveland for his assistance in the setup of these trainings. To report incidents of discrimination in the workplace to SALDEF, please contact us.