Was this Christian just trying to start trouble?
Question by Moose: Was this Christian just trying to start trouble?
I could understand if this was an honest mistake, but why go against company policy and then sue?
“Florida woman claims ‘Merry Christmas’ greeting got her fired”
By Melissa Nelson, The Associated Press
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A Florida woman claims a vacation rental company fired her because she used “‘Merry Christmas” to greet callers. Thirty-five-year-old Tonia Thomas says she lost her job after failing to use the company-mandated greeting of “Happy Holidays.”
The Panama City woman and self-described strong Christian has filed a federal complaint that accuses the company of religious discrimination. She has since found another job since her Dec. 10th firing, but for less money and is seeking compensation for lost wages.
Her former employer, Counts-Oakes Resorts Properties Inc., says it’s no Scrooge. It describes the woman as just a disgruntled employee, but refuses to elaborate. Liberty Counsel, an Orlando-based legal group that advocates for people discriminated against because of their religion, is representing Thomas before the federal Equal Opportunity Employment Commission.
Their complaint also accuses the company of harassing and taunting Thomas after she was fired by calling the police to watch her pack her belongings and leave. Thomas could have hard time winning the case, said Thomas Harper, a Jacksonville-based labor lawyer who writes a newsletter on Florida employment law.
“I wouldn’t think an employee has the right to insist (on saying Merry Christmas) unless that really is a tenet of their faith. She would have to make a strong case that was part of her beliefs, if not, it becomes insubordination,” he said.
Harper said when it comes to holiday greetings, the smartest choice might be ignoring the season.
“The best option is just not to say anything,” he said.
Answer:
Do you see the Christ part in CHRISTmas? Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birthday.
In doing a little searching on religious beliefs vs workplace rules, I found this EEOC press release (right here in my back yard) about a local Chevy dealership that got into hot water.
Here are the highlights of the suit.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on religion and requires employers to accommodate the sincere religious beliefs or practices of employees unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the business. After first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through conciliation, the EEOC filed the lawsuit (EEOC v. Maita Chevrolet Geo, No. CV11-4815-JSC) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and seeks monetary damages on behalf of Okon, training on anti-discrimination laws, and other steps to prevent future discrimination.
EEOC San Francisco Regional Attorney William R. Tamayo said, “Where there is a conflict between an employee’s religious beliefs and work rules, the law mandates that an employer make a sincere effort to accommodate those beliefs. Maita Chevrolet’s refusal to explore any workable solutions with Mr. Okon was not only illegal but short-sighted. Why would anyone treat a valuable, high-performing employee this way?” Read the entire article here: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/9-29-11u.cfm
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