Religious discrimination involves treating a person (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs. Employment discrimination is based on gender, race, national origin, religion, mental or physical disability, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation.An uptodate handbook that includes a religious accommodation policy will go a long way in defending a religious discrimination claim. How do I file a United States Department of Agriculture program discrimination complaint? How do I file a formal equal employment opportunity complaint? OCR enforces the bar on religious discrimination in these regulations. What kinds of discriminatory practices are prohibited?