Posted on 06/09/2010 10:00:05 AM PDT by inflorida
Fourth-grade teacher Jarretta Hamilton was newly married and expecting a baby when she went to speak with her supervisors in April of last year.
But the administrators at Southland Christian School in St. Cloud parried her query about maternity leave with a query of their own: When did she conceive?
After Hamilton admitted that her child had been conceived about three weeks before her February 20, 2009, wedding, the school fired her.
Now she's suing in federal court.
"She wants compensation for the loss of the job, and she's seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress," said Edward Gay, Hamilton's attorney who filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Orlando.
In the complaint, which asks for a trial by jury, Hamilton alleges her termination was based on the fact of her pregnancy — and that the school offended her by disclosing the information about when she conceived to other school staffers and the parents of students Hamilton taught during the 2008-2009 school year.
Hamilton did not authorize the school to reveal that information, according to the complaint.
She also tried to keep the matter from getting to this point, Gay said. She filed discrimination charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations, but has since exhausted her options.
A July 20, 2009, letter signed by school administrator Julie Ennis explains why the school's administrators thought they had to fire Hamilton:
"Jarretta was asked not to return because of a moral issue that was disregarded, namely fornication, sex outside of marriage," the letter reads. "The employment application, which she filled out, clearly states that as a leader before our students we require all teachers to maintain and communicate the values and purpose of our school."
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Actually, I didn't. I waited until I got married.
Which brings up a couple more questions like:
1) Why do idiots such as yourself seem to want to go out of your way to bash people who actually abide by moral standards that they declare for themselves (i.e. aren't hypocrites), and
2) What business is it of yours if a private, Christian academy likewise acts in a way that affirms the standards it sets for itself (i.e. isn't hypocritical)?
1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
You’re going to break that self-righteous arm of yours patting yourself in the back so much in public!
I believe masturbation falls under the same morality code as pre-marital sex.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
The release of private information does not seem authorized. The school may have a problem on this issue.
The school’s policy is stupid in this situation. She may win her case because of the pregnancy. She will at least have the sympathy of the jury.
Amazing how employers should be free to do what they want for their business until it comes to a Christian school.
Sorry bub, but Jesus was talking about salvation, not signing a legally binding contract stating that you were going to abide by certain standards.
What is it about standards that seems to drive the lawless so bonkers?
Good thing Mary didn’t work for an employer like this.
Yes, it is amazing the number of idiots on here who will chastise a Christian school for maintaining Christian values.
That’s the Christian spirit I’ve come to know and love so much on FR! Sure, the school has pulled this family’s private affairs into the public domain and stigmatized the child, but all the good Christians on FR can sleep well tonight having found someone to cast criticism upon.
The employer has the right to do what it wants regarding employment of the employee, but does it have the right to publically embarrass the employee like this?
“Come on Brian. Let’s go to the Stoning!”
If she wasn't willing to abide by the terms, she didn't have to take the job. Period
In the matter you cite, I think it would be a case of "Let him with the free hand throw the first stone."
Isn't it though? And isn't it odd that so many FReepers seem to have an issue with private entities enforcing moral standards within their own organisation? Funny how our FRiends' libertarianism goes out the window when it comes to sex, and how other people deal with it.
She is the one making it a part of public record.
You sound DUish to me.
Not too bright a bulb since she has been working there and knows the environment and what the outcome would be. Answer should have been, “I don’t know, my wedding night?”
The school had every right to fire her. In a private school in an at-will state, they can fire her for the color of her eyes.
Where they SO messed up was in the violation of the HIPPA laws in that they revealed medical information without her express permission.
That lady is going to win this case based on that - the school administration is staffed by a bunch of dunderheads!
So, you're version of Christianity ssays that Christian organisations cannot set standards for the behaviour of their own employees, but teachers are perfectly free to lie when signing a contract?
Not sure I care for your brand.
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