The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an agency created by the Civil Rights Act, may investigate instances of discrimination against Orthodox Jews arising from the refusal of some to work on Saturday.
Chairman Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., of the commission today wrote Sen. Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, that “our general counsel has outlined this matter for the commission’s attention and I hope that we will be able to consider this important question very soon.”
The Senator had requested action by the commission following complaints by constituents that Orthodox Jews had suffered difficulties in obtaining both private and governmental employment because they insisted upon honoring the Sabbath. A question was raised as to whether such discrimination represented a violation of civil rights laws.
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