June 26, 2019 (Teterboro, NJ) – In July 2018, a Sikh teen contacted the Sikh Coalition after being asked to remove his turban for a routine employment drug test at a Quest Diagnostics facility in New Jersey. After contacting Quest Diagnostics and learning more about their existing policies, the Sikh Coalition was able to work with Quest leadership to deliver Sikh awareness trainings that have impacted 2,400 staff members in the United States. Quest Diagnostics is one of the largest medical diagnostics companies in the U.S. and provides services to other diagnostic laboratories, hospitals and clinics. As a result of Sikh Coalition outreach, the company and its employees will have a better understanding of the Sikh articles of faith and the policies for respecting religious rights.
“No one should ever feel disrespected or humiliated because of a lack of religious literacy and understanding,” said Sikh Coalition Policy and Advocacy Manager Nikki Singh. “We are appreciative of Quest Diagnostic’s willingness to learn about the Sikh faith, and we look forward to the positive changes that will result from these trainings.”
The Sikh Coalition continues to protect Sikh rights through our robust legal, policy, communications and education work. In just the past two months, this work has included
efforts to ensure Sikhism is taught accurately in both Oklahoma and Michigan public schools,
hate crime sentencing in Oregon,
successfully settling a multi-year dispute with Montgomery County Public Schools,
testifying in Congress on TSA profiling and
delivering trainings to 1,200 public school students and educators.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
