N.C. Detective Agency Agrees to Pay $65,231 in Religious Discrimination Case

N.C. Detective Agency agreed to pay $65,231 in compensatory damages and back pay to resolve a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation into alleged religious discrimination, the EEOC announced on September 14, 2026. The Durham-based security company also must change its policies, establish procedures for handling religious accommodation requests and provide mandatory training under the conciliation agreement.

The EEOC said its investigation found reasonable cause to believe that an employee asked to be excused from work for a Muslim religious holiday but was denied the accommodation. According to the agency, the company knew of the employee’s need for a religious accommodation but did not engage in the legally required interactive process and terminated her in June 2025 after she did not report for duty.

The alleged conduct would violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on religion and requires employers to provide reasonable religious accommodations unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. The EEOC’s finding reflects the agency’s determination in its investigation; N.C. Detective Agency entered the agreement without admitting liability.

Under the agreement, the company must establish written policies prohibiting religious discrimination and create procedures for addressing future religious accommodation requests. It also must train all employees, including supervisors, on equal employment opportunity rights and responsibilities, with a focus on Title VII and its requirements, and post a workplace notice concerning equal employment opportunity rights.

“No American should have to choose between practicing their faith and keeping their job,” said Patricia Carrasco, deputy director for the EEOC’s Charlotte District. She said federal law protects employees’ ability to observe their religion, including participation in religious activities, and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations unless they would impose an undue hardship.