USA: Sikh Doctor Discrimination Case Reaches Resolution

Tennessee (October 30, 2017): A resolution has been reached in the December 2016 employment discrimination lawsuit that was filed on behalf of Dr. Jaswinder Pal Singh, the Sikh Coalition announced today.

The suit alleged that Dr. Singh – an observant Sikh physician and father who keeps a religiously mandated turban and beard – was denied a neurology job after the employer and recruiter inquired into his religious appearance.

The employer, a Tennessee-based medical group, has agreed to work with the Sikh Coalition to improve its employment hiring polices so that all qualified job candidates, regardless of their faith or background, will receive fair and equal treatment. As part of the agreement, the employer will strengthen its equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies and retain an EEO consultant to provide anti-discrimination training for staff responsible for recruiting, interviewing and hiring employees.

“I want to thank the Sikh Coalition for protecting my rights and working to ensure that religious appearance is never a factor in the job application process,” said Dr. Jaswinder Pal Singh.

The Sikh Coalition partnered with the reputable Tennessee plaintiffs’ attorney, Douglas B. Janney III, to resolve Dr. Singh’s case. This resolution is the latest in the series of high-impact employment discrimination victories that the Sikh Coalition has secured on behalf of the Sikh community over the past 16 years.

“Our legal team is here to protect your right to be Sikh, and we will always hold employers accountable,” said Sikh Coalition Legal Director, Amrith Kaur.