Posted on 08/04/2004 9:15:03 AM PDT by HundredPercenter
Woman Fired For Eating 'Unclean' Meat Attorney: 'It's A Classic Case Of Religious Discrimination'
POSTED: 5:46 am EDT August 4, 2004 UPDATED: 10:51 am EDT August 4, 2004
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Central Florida woman was fired from her job after eating "unclean" meat and violating a reported company policy that pork and pork products are not permissible on company premises, according to Local 6 News.
Lina Morales was hired as an administrative assistant at Rising Star -- a Central Florida telecommunications company with strong Muslim ties, Local 6 News reported.
However, 10 months after being hired by Rising Star, religious differences led to her termination.
Morales, who is Catholic, was warned about eating pizza with meat the Muslim faith considered "unclean.," Local 6 News reported. She was then fire for eating a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, according to the report.
"Are you telling me they fired you because you had something with ham on it?" Local 6 News reporter Mike Holfeld asked.
"Yes," Morales said.
Woman Fired After Eating Pork
Holfeld asked, "A pizza and a BLT sandwich?"
" Yes," Morales said.
Local 6 News obtained the termination letter that states she was fired for refusing to comply with company policy that pork and pork products are not permissible on company premises.
However, by the company's own admission to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, that policy is not written, Local 6 News reported.
"Did you ever sign to or agree to anything that said I will not eat pork?" Holfeld asked Morales.
"Never," Morales said. "When I got hired there, they said we don't care what religion you are."
Attorney Travis Hollifield is representing Morales in a lawsuit against the company.
"It's just un-American," Hollifield said. "It's not in compliance with the laws of this country."
Local 6 News reported that the case has precedent-setting issues because it addresses employee rights and religion in the workplace.
"It's a classic case of religious discrimination," Hollifield said. "They have not articulated a single reason other than religious reason behind the policy."
The CEO of Rising Star, Kujaatele Kweli, told Local 6 News that they have tried to create an office that accommodates anybody's religion -- not just Islam.
"Clearly you're accommodating," Holfeld said.
"Yes." Kweli replied.
"And you have an ecumenical philosophy," Holfeld said.
" Yes," Kweli replied.
"(Then) shouldn't you be able to accommodate all faiths in the same lunch room?" Holfeld asked.
"We do, we can," Kweli said.
"But you've dismissed one of your employees for eating pork in the lunch room," Holfeld said.
"Yes, pork is considered unclean," Kweli said.
The Koran forbids Muslims from eating pork. And according to Kweli, Morales and every employee at the company is advised of the no pork policy.
"Our point of view is to respect the laws of the land and the laws of the land as I understand it is to the accommodate people's right to practice their religions if you can," Kweli said.
"Even if it impacts other people?" Holfeld asked.
"Well, it always impacts other people," Kweli replied.
Orlando attorney Mark Nejame is close to the Muslim community, Local 6 News reported. He said Kweli's intentions may cross constitutional parameters, according to the report.
"They're making it seem that if you don't follow a certain set of religious practices and beliefs then you're going to be terminated and that's wrong," Nejame said. "If this case prevails, what it will mean -- the implications of this case -- is it will eliminate accommodations of religion."
Both sides are steadfast in their belief that they are right. Morales is taking the company to court charging discrimination, Local 6 News reported.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
So if I have a company and I believe it is important to eat pork, can I fire a Muslim employee who refuses?
So what's good for the goose ought to be good for tha gander. If a Muslim company wants to ban pork on the premises, well, so be it.
On the other hand, bacon tastes good, pork chops taste good... :-)
I would say that if the company had a written policy regarding pork, then I'd have to be behind them 100%.
Since she has Federal Law on her side, depending on how the Florida courts react or decide, this could go all the way to the USSC.
But, but, but, they're providing jobs that lazy Americans won't provide. You should just accept the cultural changes, you bigoted xenophobes, 'cause diversity is our strength.
Bump...
It only works one way.
At the very least, she received a verbal warning. Their property, their rules.
I can understand why she would have been reprimanded for violations, and if she were to continue to violate the policy, then she should be fired. The problem is that there was no written policy, and she was not required to sign a document acknowledging that she was not to bring "unclean" foods onto company premesis.
For instance, if you work at a Jewish synagogue, it would not be unusual to have a similar policy.
The problem with dietary laws is that if you bring something "unclean" in and use utensils, plates, pots, or pans, you wind up "contaminating" those things. Which then "contaminate" any food used with them for others. It's a complicated matter.
My grandfather was a "Mashgiach," or one who supervises kitchens to make sure that they followed the Jewish laws of "Kashruth," the dietary laws. It's complicated, and although it may seem outdated, for those who are religious and observant, it's every bit as important as a baptism or Sacrement.
Mark
I would think without a written policy on this she would have a case; at least I hope she does.
If it's part of their job description, sure. If the job is something other than "Bacon Taste-Tester" you might have a hard time convincing a jury, though.
Wait a sec. It's not really a religion. Now I'm confused.
Private businesses are private property.
Therefore, they need not hire gays, or the handicapped, or minorities, or women as well, right?
As for me, I'm going to find a mosque, sit down on the public street in front of it and, you guessed it: EAT A HAM SANDWHICH at lunch time.
On Monday it could be a ham sandwhich, on Tuesday a BLT, on Wednesday roast pork butt. But I will do it and I dare any ant-freedom, bigoted, muslim to tell me I can't!
think I'll have a bacon-wrapped filet mignon tonight or perhaps a ham sandwich ... perhaps a pepperoni pizza with Canadian Bacon ...
yeah, with diversity like this, who needs enemies? ... oh wait ... hmmmm
The Jewish people, so far, have not shown religious bigotry. I will respect their wishes when around those of the Jewish faith.
They had every right to ask her not to eat pork in the lunch room.
It's not like she was fired for eating pork at her house, she brought it in the lunchroom.
If the Muslim loses this battle, God help any Christian and Jewish businesses....
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