U.S. Sues Ice Cream Giant Over Alleged Firing of Jewish Employee Who Would Not Shave His Beard

The U.S. government announced that it has filed a lawsuit against an American ice cream manufacturer over allegations of religious discrimination against a Jewish employee. The news was reported today (Wednesday) by Ynet.

According to a statement from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a federal lawsuit was filed against Blue Bell Creameries, the country’s third-largest ice cream manufacturer. The company is accused of unlawfully firing Gary Blackshear, an employee at its plant in Sylacauga, Alabama, because he refused to shave his beard due to his religious beliefs.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Alabama, states that Blackshear, who follows a religious lifestyle that includes keeping a beard, was told by plant management to shave in order to comply with safety procedures and use special protective masks against chemical leaks at the production facility.

The employee told company leaders that shaving his beard was completely contrary to his religious beliefs and asked for a standard religious accommodation permitted under federal law: specialized protective equipment designed for people with beards that provides full protection without requiring shaving. Blackshear was fired on the grounds of “disciplinary and attendance violations.”

The federal lawsuit demands that the company restore Blackshear to his position, pay him substantial financial compensation, including punitive damages and back pay, and impose strict procedures at the plant to prevent religious discrimination in the future.

Blue Bell, considered an especially popular American brand in the Southern states, rejects the allegations and said in response that it intends to fight the claims and defend its position in court.