Gao v. L&L Supplies, Inc.

Worker Wins Religious Diet Accommodation Case Against Prison Employer

This case involved Mr. Gao, who worked at High Desert State Prison and faced religious discrimination when his employer failed to properly accommodate his religious needs. Gao filed claims against L&L Supplies, Inc. (likely a contractor at the prison) for failing to accommodate his religious practices and discriminating against him based on his faith.

The court issued a mixed ruling. Gao won an important victory when the judge granted his request for a preliminary injunction requiring the employer to provide him with a "common fare diet" that meets his religious dietary requirements. However, the court denied his other requests related to chapel access (ruling it was no longer relevant) and property confiscation issues.

What This Means for Workers:
This case shows that employees have the right to reasonable religious accommodations in the workplace, including dietary needs. When employers refuse to make these accommodations, workers can seek court orders to force compliance. While Gao didn't win everything he asked for, his success on the dietary issue demonstrates that courts will protect workers' religious rights when employers fail to meet their legal obligations under anti-discrimination laws.