HOUSTON – A professional collection agency is accused of fostering a hostile work environment by a former employee who is a practicing Muslim.
Nailah Anderson filed a lawsuit against Synergetic Communication, Inc. on July 18 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, alleging the company discriminated her because of her religion.
Hired by the defendant as a bill collector in 2014, Anderson reportedly wore a hijab headscarf to work. Muslim women are required to wear the veil in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family.
Court papers state that the respondent attempted to get Anderson to stop wearing the hijab on company time. In response, she argues “the law allowed her to wear the hijab at work.”
Anderson’s suit further disputes the company’s purported no-hat policy, claiming several employees wore Santa Claus hats at a Christmas party. Anderson says the hijab was not a hat therefore she did not violate any rules.
She further alleges the defendant continued to mistreat her over the veil until she resigned for health reasons.
Consequently, Anderson seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Katrina Patrick of Bellaire is representing the complainant.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case No. 4:18-CV-2493