Luxor Resolves EEOC's Allegations Regarding Vaccine Discrimination, Involving Aria
The Aria Resort & Casino and Luxor Hotel and Casino, two iconic properties on the Las Vegas Strip, have reached settlements with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over allegations of denying religious accommodations related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The EEOC found reasonable cause to believe that the casinos violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees’ sincerely held religious beliefs unless it causes undue hardship.
The resorts settled via separate conciliation agreements without admitting wrongdoing, agreeing to take corrective actions including training human resources staff on religious accommodation requirements under Title VII. The casinos will also undergo specialized training and the EEOC will monitor compliance to ensure the accommodations are properly provided going forward.
The EEOC announced that the resorts faced complaints claiming that workers were denied religious exemptions to the company's vaccine requirements. These settlements come shortly after a similar EEOC case involving another Las Vegas Strip casino, The Venetian, which agreed to pay $850,000 and revise policies after similar allegations.
Michael Mendoza, director of the EEOC's Las Vegas office, praised the move as a step toward better workplace practices. He emphasized the importance of employers understanding and complying with Title VII to prevent such disputes in the future.
The EEOC is the agency responsible for enforcing laws that make discrimination illegal in the workplace. Their investigation involved both the Aria Resort & Casino and Luxor Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
The settlement in the suit filed before Apollo's $2.25 billion acquisition of the property highlights the growing scrutiny employers face regarding the way they handle requests for religious exemptions, especially in response to health-related mandates.
[1] EEOC News Release: Aria Resort & Casino and Luxor Hotel and Casino to Provide Religious Accommodations to Employees (15 February 2023)
[2] EEOC News Release: The Venetian to Pay $850,000 to Settle Religious Discrimination Lawsuit (28 January 2023)
- Due to the EEOC's investigation, both the Aria Resort & Casino and Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, known for their casino-and-gambling culture, have agreed to provide religious accommodations to their employees, thus abiding by Title VII's requirements.
- In light of the recent settlements with the EEOC over religious discrimination claims, it seems that casino trends in Las Vegas, particularly in establishments like the Aria Resort & Casino and Luxor Hotel and Casino, are inclining towards fostering a more inclusive casino-culture that respects and accommodates employees' sincerely held religious beliefs.
