The Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas is facing a religious discrimination lawsuit by federal authorities. The lawsuit claims that the casino unlawfully disciplined and terminated a Messianic Jewish employee for wearing a headscarf as part of her faith. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a manager at the casino ordered the employee to remove her headscarf while on duty, leading to her suspension and eventual termination.

Despite the employee’s explanations and inability to provide a clergy letter due to not belonging to a formal synagogue, the casino refused to reinstate her and eventually fired her in July 2024. The EEOC filed the lawsuit after failed attempts to settle the issue through conciliation.

Title VII Violation

The complaint alleges that Circa violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on religion, requires reasonable religious accommodations, and prohibits retaliation against employees requesting accommodations or opposing discrimination. Federal officials stressed that employers must accommodate sincere religious beliefs of their staff without undue burden on business operations.

The lawsuit seeks monetary relief for the former employee, including back pay and compensatory damages, as well as changes in company policies to prevent future religious discrimination in the workplace.