This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Managers at a manufacturing plant in Springfield, Missouri, attacked one employee for wearing a cross necklace to work, and for having a Bible at his desk.
They claimed those items made him "not inclusive" and "unapproachable" and they scolded him for being seen as part of a "clique," that is Christianity.
They insisted the workplace had to have a "neutral" environment and that he be "respectful to others."
Now those officials have gotten a very nicely worded letter pointing out that their actions likely were in violation of federal law.
It is the American Center for Law and Justice that confirms it has written to the Timken Co.'s Missouri plant to object to the treatment, and to insist on confirmation that the behavior will end and won't be repeated.
The ACLJ reported, "Just weeks ago, our client was summoned into meetings with HR leadership and plant management. He was ordered to remove his Bible from view, hide his cross necklace under his shirt, and refrain from openly expressing his Christian faith because it was allegedly 'not inclusive' and made him appear 'unapproachable.'"
The legal team noted one boss "even lectured him that being a Christian is about 'wearing it in your heart' rather than visibly living out his faith. Our client was appallingly told by corporate supervisors that his Bible and cross necklace were 'non-inclusive' and 'unprofessional.'"
The organization then confirmed it has dispatched a demand letter to the company, "calling on the company to immediately reverse course. We are demanding written assurances that our client will be allowed to keep his Bible on his desk, wear his cross necklace openly, and not be retaliated against in any way."
"The implications of this case extend far beyond one workplace. If left unchecked, this kind of discrimination sends a dangerous message that people of faith must hide their beliefs to keep their jobs. Religious liberty doesn't end at the office door. Every American has the right to live out their faith without fear of punishment or harassment. If a major corporation can tell one worker to hide his Bible and cross because they are 'not inclusive,' what's to stop your employer, your child's school, or even a government agency from doing the same to you or someone you love?"
The employee, whose name was not released, is in human resources at the company.
"He's a faithful Christian and has always lived out his faith in quiet and respectful ways. As part of his daily routine, he keeps a Bible on his desk for private reflection and to alleviate stress. He also wears a cross necklace as a personal expression of his beliefs. Neither his Bible nor his necklace has ever interfered with his work, nor have any co-workers ever complained. In fact, Timken's own handbook contains no rule prohibiting employees from wearing personal jewelry or keeping items on their desks," explained the ACLJ.
The law is, in fact, crystal clear: "Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their religious beliefs or practices. Federal law protects an employee's right to wear religious symbols, keep religious objects in the workplace, and engage in non-disruptive religious observance. Courts have repeatedly held that punishing employees for such expression is direct evidence of unlawful discrimination," the ACLJ said.
The letter warns that the company now has "created a hostile workplace for [the employee] and anyone else espousing religious beliefs."
