Power Supplier Fired Jehovah’s Witness for Wanting One Day Off to Attend Religious Convention
Ozarks Electric Cooperative Corporation, an electric power supplier located in Fayetteville, Ark., violated federal law by firing an employee because of her religious practices, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed Thursday.
According to the EEOC’s suit, Julia Solis, a call center customer service representative and a Jehovah’s Witness, requested one day off to attend a religious convention. The company denied the request and fired Solis as a result, the agency said.
Such conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees against discrimination based on religion and requires employers to provide employees with reasonable accommodations to allow them to practice their sincerely held religious beliefs. The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.
The EEOC has asked the court to grant a permanent injunction enjoining Ozarks Electric from engaging in any further employment practice that discriminates against employees because of their religious beliefs and requiring the company to reasonably accommodate the religious beliefs of employees. The agency has also asked the court to order the company to provide relief to Solis, compensatory and punitive damages and any other relief the court deems necessary and proper.
“This employee’s request was so modest and minor it is astounding the company not only refused it, but also fired her.” said Katharine W. Kores, district director of the EEOC’s Memphis District Office, which has jurisdiction over Arkansas, Tennessee and portions of Mississippi. “Employees should never be forced to choose between their religion and their job.”
Ozarks Electric Cooperative Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation that supplies electric power to its members in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma. According to its website, it serves more than 62,000 homes, farms, businesses and industries in parts of Benton, Crawford, Franklin, Madison and Washington counties in Arkansas, and Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma.
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.
This is Jehovah’s Witnesses like Scientology they are highly litigious.They will sue at the drop of a hat,intimidation by litigation.
Quick someone file a Discrimination law suit against Sally Fredrick for her prejudice comment
Sally Fredrick prejudice comment?
Are you kidding us? Have you read the Watchtower?
It and other WT publications are full of hate (of others religions) and if fact have pictures of people and their places of worship being destroyed with men, women and children running in terror.
Truly you are the pot calling the kettle black.
Taken honestly as a whole, the cases Jehovah’s Witnesses file are decided in the case of the JW. Interestingly by criticizing us you criticize the entire Judicial system all the way to the Supreme Court. A careful researching of the cases, local and nationwide that have been won by Jehovah’s Wintesses, reveals just how much freedom has been gained for Americans through these cases.
Incredible as these sleepy people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, are discriminated against.
I know them well and know that it’s right people, honest, excellent moral, do not steal hours of the bosses are excellent employees.
I know of companies that like against Jehovah’s Witnesses because they know they will never have problems such as: promoting strikes, only work when the boss is watching, lie, steal, finally, if I had some company and also choose if they had no ability to office, I would give this ability.
This company should have a person that hates power of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
No doubt if they are apostates.
I wish that Jehovah, the God of Jehovah’s Witnesses reward each according to his actions
For others information. If you dare leave the Jehovah’s Witness religion for ANY reason, ‘apostate’ is the smear word members are conditioned to label you.
Thanks to Mr. Costa for the frightening example of a high control cult.
Yes, Thank you Mr. Costa for telling the unbiased truth about Jehovah’s Witnesses. I am one myself.
The JW’s follow the Bible as closely as possible which makes it appear “high control” because we give our lives to Christ and do not pursue worldly interests. God’s Kingdom will soon eliminate any doubt of this fact.
JW’s do not consider “apostate” just anyone who leaves our religion. That is an often used obfuscation to mislead people. Consider 1 Corinthians 5. There is listed some of the reasons a person would be shunned as outlined in that and other chapters of the Bible. Please find out for yourself about our religion by talking to us as we come to your doors.
I love how all these ‘third person’ people write in when we know they are actual members of this religion.
Nice try.
Yes, many Jehovah’s witnesses are, like many people, “honest, excellent moral”, etc. They also practice the most discriminatory behavior in the US.
If someone comes to the conclusion that their teachings are not true and choose to leave that organization, well…, Jehovah’s witnesses are instructed to “cut that person off” that includes family, parents, grandparents, children, and friends. I know, I am in that position, I was a believer for 54 years.
Jehovah’s witnesses demand and will go to court to enforce THEIR rights and privileges but will deny those rights and privileges to ALL their members.
Pardon me if I do not weep for one who chooses to take off work to attend one of their indoctrination sessions.
At a time when people sue over a bad look or a cup of coffee and other equally rediculous things, some here are upset when companies in this country violate the UUS Constitution? Give it a rest. These same people would go to war over a parking space.
Jehovah’s Witnesses never insist others do as we do. The Bible instructs we are all responsible for our own actions before God. Unlike these others, we cannot dictate other peoples actions. So we do not try. We do stand up for those rights promised to all as the laws of the land equally.
Whether you understand it or not, this assures you will not be silenced even for the dribble that comes out of even the craziest among us. Even the “morally indignent” among the population.
Paragraph 5 in the article points out how ridiculous the company’s actions are. Probably caused by only one or two haters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they cost the entire company fines, charges and reputation at a time when energy companies can not afford bad press.
Obviously you are a great defender of the US constitution and the rights of all people.
Perhaps you would explain to all us ignorant people, what would happen to a Bethelite, (volunteer worker in one of the Watchtower, aka Jehovah’s witness, buildings and factories if that Bethelite (extremely low paid worker)should start to question the teachings of your governing body and/or Jehovah’s witnesses in general.
Now, assuming that person wanted to continue working in that Watchtower plant, what would happen? How long would he be working there or living in the quarters furnished for him/her by Jehovah’s witnesses?
If you do not know the correct answer, call Bethel, they will inform you.
Now, what were you saying about US constitution and rights?
“… ridiculous the company’s actions are. Probably caused by only one or two haters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they cost the entire company fines, charges and reputation at a time when energy companies can not afford bad press.”~Michael Greene
Typical response from a JW members who is conditioned to think as the Watchtower leadership has programed them. If anyone disagrees with anything the groups leadership does then the foot soldiers respond with “haters of Jehovah’s Witness” comments.
That’s the what you get when you strongly encourage followers to go to five meetings a week and give up or restrict association with non members.
The JW poster above, João Célio Costa, is a perfect example of what you will get when you hire a Jehovah’s Witness.
The following website summarizes over 750 lawsuits filed by Jehovah’s Witnesses against their Employers, incidents involving problem JW Employees, and other secret JW “history” court cases:
EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH’S WITNESS EMPLOYEES
jwemployees.bravehost.com
The following website summarizes over 750 lawsuits filed by Jehovah’s Witnesses against their Employers, incidents involving problem JW Employees, and other secret JW “history” court cases:
EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH’S WITNESS EMPLOYEES
jwemployees.bravehost.com
“Employees should never be forced to choose between their religion and their job.”~Katharine W. Kores
I wonder if Katharine realizes that the Jehovah’s Witness leadership force baptized members to choose between their religion and their family? If someone disagrees with anything this high control religion communicates, disfellowshipping or disassociation results. Any other baptized members (including direct family), are forbidden to have anything to do with former JW’s. Extreme cult like shunning to keep the flock quiet and controlled. Truly this is a frightening group.
Here we go again. An interesting article on JW’s and the ones who couldn’t stay faithful to their dedication or God come out in droves to spew hatred towards those who do. Again, for those of you who are not haters, just reading this tripe, ask that JW who calls humbly at your door about us, not these people hiding behind the keyboard.
Here we go again. An interesting article about Jehovah’s Witnesses comes online and drives those who refused to remain faithful to their dedication and God out to spew their hatred. Again, I say, ask that humble Witness who calls at your door next time to explain our Bible based beliefs and just ignore these haters who hide behind their computers because they are afraid to imitate Christ and the first century Christians and take their message physically to the people.
Great idea Ken. If I want to know what the Society has trained its pawns to say to us we will ‘ask the humble Witness who calls at your door’.
Why wouldn’t one want to know the official Watchtower position on anything verses what really happens(or has happened)in this ‘so close to the end’ system of things?
Of course you paint anyone who has left or been asked to leave with your own brand of WT hate. And you fail to tell the audience that those humble people who go ‘door to door’ have to put in at least 10 hours on their field service report, so as to not be looked at with judgement from others or the elders. PS you may wish to do some research and you will find that your NWT is the only doctored version of the Scriptures that has ‘house to house’. Only one verse has that literal meaning and the instruct is to not go house to house.
The facts are that those outside your frame (who can see the whole picture), more see the Watchtower as on the same level as the Mormons. You both put almost all your ‘study’ time into non-bible publications so more emphasis can be put on a smaller percentage of scriptures. The Watchtower and your publications are your version of the Book of Mormon.
Do you feel any guilt when you misrepresent the new convert with a bible study that in reality is focused on Watchtower materials?
Why so much hate for people who know later in life that they made a mistake believing your group was honest and had the truth? Why the labels? Why does your congregations only show conditional love and why do you have a spy system that reports other members to the elders (as if they are yardsticks for measuring truth)?
Watchtower indoctrinated nonsense.
I was born into a family of Jehovah’s witnesses, my father was the “company servant” (Elder now) I was forced to attend meetings and study Watchtower literature. I believed that nonsense for 54 years.
Now, I am a Christian. I never “refused to remain faithful to their dedication and God ” I left an organization which claims to speak for God and is “the only channel God is using to communicate with mankind”
“Bible based beliefs” uh huh. You and all Jehovah’s witnesses spend far more time buying and studying Watchtower publications than you do any Bible study. If the Bible contradicts the Watchtower, then, the Bible must be wrong, in some way, it must be a “picture” or “illustration” or maybe the BIG one, it was actually “invisible” to human eyes.
Michael Greene is apostate Steve Klemetti he has the gall to count field service time having exchange with EXJW on-line.
I particularly like this part. “Employees should never be forced to choose between their religion and their job.”
What Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught out of one side of the mouth:
“No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family.”
Awake! 2009 July
What are taught out of the other side of their mouth:
“disfellowshiping” is what Jehovahs Witnesses appropriately call the expelling and subsequent shunning of such an unrepentant wrongdoer…. a simple “Hello” to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?” Watchtower 1981 Sep 15
“A young man had been disfellowshipped for over ten years, during which time his father, mother, and four brothers “quit mixing in company” with him. At times, he tried to involve himself in their activities, but to their credit, each member of the family was steadfast in not having any contact with him.” (he came back, the emotional blackmail worked) “4/15/2012 WT (study edition, not given out to the public)
What about the basic human rights of a family member to “never be forced to chose between religion” and their own family. Just one of the many two faced teachings of the Watchtower known better as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
See you in November.
Elder Robert
How many times does your congregation smear the word ‘apostate’ over anyone who is not of your closed little society?
If you dare look up the word it means anyone who has left ANY religion or political party. And guess what. It doesn’t mean for any particular reason. So anyone who left any other religion to join yours is an apostate too.
All you do is show those who are outside your little indoctrinated world that in your group there is no room for individual opinion.
How do you feel when your leadership uses emotionally charged words that your members are conditioned to react to, for everything from murderers to someone who just doesn’t agree that you have the truth. I would say that your groups dishonestly is showing up here loud and clear.
As I stated earlier, I am a Jehovah’s Witness. Since I do not address directly those who are disfellowshipped (shunned) or disassociate themselves, I will make these brief comments about the comments of disgruntled exJW’s. Those who state they’ve been a Witness for over a half century or even less, then bitterly complain, by their actions bring up interesting questions. One is, “Why believe, teach and follow a Bible teaching for that long then suddenly be so against the teaching?” These questions are valid because each Jehovah’s Witness is asked if he believes what the Bible states about this doctrine BEFORE they are baptized. If they say no, they are not allowed to be baptized.
It doesn’t matter that it’s a lie? 40 years in, just stick with the lie. Many are born in, they have no basis of comparison. Information control is a huge part of being a JW.
The “society” tells you everything. They tell you they were chosen, they tell you they are speaking for Jehovah, they tell you what the bible says, they tell you everything and THEY provide all the proof. They then forbid you to look at outside information, doubt, question, they don’t even want you reading the bible alone etc. How exactly does one make an informed decision when all information is controlled.
Even those who study are instantly information controlled, mind control tricks are used, propaganda is introduced, and anyone who just listens to the one side of the story, gets hooked. That doesn’t make it true.
Show me in the bible the teaching of 1914, show me in the bible where it says in 1919 Jesus would chose an organization. I can show you where Jesus warns against those who claim the end is near. I can show you where Jesus warns of false prophets and not to follow men.
I agree Hoobie. Years of being in bondage is not a proper measuring stick for someones credibility.
The Watchtower Organizations low profile leadership make it very difficult to see any options outside their group. If the Witness religion was so honest hearted then they would be questioning why anyone after a lifetime would leave their former religion to join them.
Truly this Jehovah’s Witness sect is a frightening high control religion of men. Only 130 years ago did Charles Taze Russel start this group. So for over 18 hundred years no one had an organization feeding the flock ‘truth’ from Jehovah God (the real name however is Yahweh).
In John, chapter six, please read about what happened to those who did not believe in Jesus’ teaching.
Do you think it is OK for a man to live with his stepmother? This happened and First Corinthians, chapter five, gives the details. We follow that pattern today to keep our group clean.
We can follow only what the Bible says because God’s word is the Truth. We have had about a million baptised in five years. This is only by means of the Holy Spirit. Follow the suggestion given to have a JW come into your house and explain things to you. That would be most helpful to you and your family.
Mitch Hutchison the presiding overseer in Felton congregation, Felton California, is disfellowshipped for immorality. Jeff Cain also an elder in Felton California was a fornicator. They continue serving as elders in Felton California despite of their abusive disgusting behavior.
Mitch Hutchison, the presiding overseer in Felton congregation, Felton California hates Jehovah God because his wife died early due to cancer. Though he was disfellowshipped for immorality he determined not to step down being an elder, and abusing many members in Felton congregation.