Question

Hank, a science professor, attends a cultural sharing and team-building event for university faculty, during which he reveals that he is a practicing Muslim. Shortly after, the head of the science department begins asking Hank many questions about his ability to separate his beliefs from his teaching material. The department head requests that the university revoke Hank's access to the chemical research labs because "Hank's extreme beliefs create a liability for the school if he has access to these dangerous substances." Hank files a Title VII suit claiming a hostile work environment on the basis of his religion. The next semester, the university cuts the funding for Hank's ongoing research project and informs him that he will be co-teaching one course, rather than his normal three courses. Has the university committed a violation beyond the potential hostile work environment?

a. No, because retaliation can occur only when an employer takes action after being found liable for another form of discrimination under Title VII, not while a case is still in progress.
b. No, if the university did not believe that Hank would be successful in his Title VII suit.
c. Yes, because an employer cannot modify the conditions of an employee's employment in any way while a Title VII case is pending.
d. Yes, because the university's actions towards Hank would deter a reasonable university employee from complaining about discrimination.

Answer 1

yes the university had committed a violation beyond the potential hostile work environment.

Correct option is :

d. Yes, because the university's actions towards Hank would deter a reasonable university employee from complaining about discrimination.

Step-by-step explanation:

Here, in the given question the information provided are that

Hank is a professor who has attended a team building and sharing event as the faculty of the university.

In that event he announced that he has been practicing Islam and is a Muslim.

Then just shortly after the event has ended the science department head started asking Hank many different questions about his different abilities and in which way he will separate his beliefs from the material of his teaching.

The university now keeps an eye on him as of his practices due to which industry is revoking his access to the chemical research labs because his extreme beliefs will create a liability for the school if he gets access to these dangerous substances.

So, the university had not believed that Hank would be successful in his title VII suit. Therefore, correct option is:

d. Yes, because the university's actions towards Hank would deter a reasonable university employee from complaining about discrimination.