TSA Admits Discrimination Against Sikh Employee: Video
NEW YORK, June 6, 2012 — A Sikh employee of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently obtained a significant victory in a religious discrimination lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The discrimination began in 2010, when Kulwinder Singh, an airport security agent at JFK Airport, was instructed by his supervisors to remove or conceal his kara (a religious article worn around the wrist by members of the Sikh faith) while he was on duty, or else he would be found to be in violation of TSA’s dress policy and face professional sanctions.
The International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) and a major international law firm jointly represented Kulwinder on a pro bono basis in a Title VII action filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). On March 22, 2012, the parties agreed to settle the case on the following terms:
(i) A judgment will be entered in favor of Kulwinder and against the TSA, in the amount of $30,000;
(ii) the TSA will provide training to its managers at JFK Airport on laws prohibiting religious discrimination and on the Sikh faith;
(iii) Kulwinder will be permitted to wear his kara unencumbered while on duty; and
(iv) the TSA will post a Notice of Finding of Discrimination admitting it violated Kulwinder’s Title VII rights and publicizing the settlement
