A Bronx man says he was persecuted over his religious beliefs by bosses at CVS pharmacy after he confided in a supervisor that he’s a practicing Seventh Day Adventist.
Nowran Busgith filed a religious-discrimination lawsuit in Manhattan federal court Monday against the pharmacy giant and also his ex-supervisor, Abdul Salui.
The suit alleges Busgith was in good standing as a CVS staffer from 2008 to 2012, working his way up from a cashier to a company “loss-prevention specialist.” But he claims Salui, who is Muslim, became hostile toward him after learning of his religious beliefs, repeatedly asking “why [Busgith] was in a ‘white boy religion.’”
Salui allegedly also demanded Busgith work Saturdays when he was supposed to be praying.
“As a Seventh Day Adventist, plaintiff’s religion commands him not to work on Saturdays,” the suit says. “Until Salui found out plaintiff needed Saturdays off in order to observe his Sabbath, they were given to him freely.
“Once Salui found out why plaintiff needed those days off, he refused to give them. This put plaintiff in the position of having to obey his religious edicts or being disciplined by Salui,” the court papers allege.
Busgith, whose job was to make confidential reports to Salui about store thefts by other employees, claims Salui also began openly letting workers know whenever Salui filed a report accusing them of stealing.
The suit, which seeks unspecified damages, notes that Busgith is a former CVS staffer but does not detail why he left.
Busgith’s lawyer and CVS reps did not immediately return message seeking comment.