Mo. library worker who claims religious discrimination for working Sundays wins lawsuit[Missouri]

AP ^ | 16 Nov 2006 | Dana Fields

[SmoothTalker]

Personally I think an employer should have the ability to choose to not employ someone who can't do the job during the hours the employer wants them to for whatever reason. If I want you to work Tuesdays, and you can't work Tuesdays, then I should be able to find an employee who can.

[FormerACLUmember]

JUSTICE!!!!!!

[Ben Mugged]

I agree. If I don't want a receptionist wearing a Hijab I shouldn't be forced to hire them or face a religious discrimination lawsuit.

[onevoter]

“One of the unique elements of this case is that Connie wasn't interested in money, she wanted her job back. That's an uncommon situation,” Gibbs said.

Yeah, right - then give the money back . . .

[End Times Sentinel]

The agency is a sort of legal gatekeeper, weeding out baseless claims and attempting to resolve those that seem to present genuine violations of the Civil Rights Act.

Gee, and I thought all the EEOC did was make sure that White Males were discriminated against in Federal Employment.

Owl_Eagle

If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.

[kjo]

You mean the ACLU didn't fly to her aid? Oh, I forgot, they don't do Christians.

[swmobuffalo]

"If I want you to work Tuesdays, and you can't work Tuesdays, then I should be able to find an employee who can."

Exactly, but you can't refuse to hire me and you can't fire me once hired. The law dealing with this was put into place for a reason.

[Airwinger]

Granted, BUT she had been employed there for years with a established schedule.....It is time for all Christians to stand up for our rights too.

[SmoothTalker]

"
Exactly, but you can't refuse to hire me and you can't fire me once hired."

Its needless governmental regulation. Forcing people to keep employees on staff whose hours don't match up with the needs of the business or entity is not something I support. I agree that you shouldn't make personnel moves based on religion but if an employee can't work the hours you need them to work, regardless of the reason, I don't see why you should be forced to keep them on the payroll over someone else who is willing and able to work the hours you need them to work. Perhaps thats just the crazy libertarian streak in me.

[SmoothTalker]

"Granted, BUT she had been employed there for years with a established schedule.....It is time for all Christians to stand up for our rights too."

So what? If my needs as an employer change over the years and one of my employees cannot or will not perform the job I [i]now[/i] need them to do I see no reason why I should be forced to keep them on..

[Blueflag]

I agree to a point.

Employees ought to be able to say no to excessive overtime and disruptive schedules.

On the other hand ... don't take the job if you don't like the hours or conditions.

The worm in this is ... what do you do when Habib says he has to have Ramadan off and he has to leave the job floor three times during his shift (not at break times) to go pray, AND you have to provide a room?
(real world answer - don't ever hire him to begin with for other legitimate reasons)

[diefree]

what law is that?

[Airwinger]

Sounds like one of the "I don't care what your problem is!! Come to work or get fired" cliches we all know and love. And before you say it, yes I run my own Biz, and have great employees, BECAUSE I treat them like people and I always remember when I was "One of the little guys"

Besides, sincwe when are libraries open on sunday, mine sure are not.

Fire resistant suit on FLAME AWAY!!

[Airwinger]

Must remeber "Spell Check is Our Friend!" LOL

[swmobuffalo]

"what law is that?"

Are you serious or do you really not know?

[gogeo]

Nobody's entitled to a set schedule for the rest of their working lives. This decision is bogus (and I once took a job on the condition I wouldn't work Sundays.)

[diefree]

I do not really know. I've never heard of a law like that.

[Abby4116]

Besides, sincwe when are libraries open on sunday, mine sure are not.

A federal jury found in her favor after a three-day trial in May, and last month she was reinstated on a judge's order to the staff assistant job she had held for 12 years before her religious practice and the library's adoption of Sunday hours collided in 2003.

My local library is not open on Sunday, but many have been for years. I would guess many others would get very upset if their 5 day week was changed from M-F to W-Sun.

[auntyfemenist]

Prayers four times a day in a specially designated area. That will be next. Sometimes I think keeping religion out of the public sphere might be a good thing in the near future, as much as I hate to say that.