Lawsuit: CHRISTIANITY Required of Applicant

[Teatownclown]

Speaking of Mart Green and Hob-Lob/Mardels.

That's an interesting quandary.  EOE should protect against religious-based discrimination in the work place.   Mardel's is a Christian book and gift store.  An overt atheist or satan-worshipper with tattoos glorifying satanic worship would really be counter to the known and stated mission of Mardel's.

What's to keep someone from suing Mardel's for discriminatory hiring practices?

I'm serious, why haven't they been sued before?

There are certain skills and understanding one must have to qualify. You wouldn't hire a vet to work in an emergency room. Well, maybe in Oklahoma.

[swake]

I got 5 emails from friends across the country all stating: "Nice town you live in."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/06/fed-lawsuit-lighting-store-required-workers-to-be-christian/1?csp=34news&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+%28News+-+Top+Stories%29#.T9ogyBevKSp  National Press! And look at the comments!

I like this one: " I worked for a gentleman in college that would only hire Jews, it's just the way he was and he business still flourishes to this day "

and I agree with this: "I could see a business requiring this if that religious belief would uniquely qualify an applicant for the specific job - for example if you are running a Christian Bookstore it would make sense to have employees that are Christians in order to effectively deal with their clientele" ...because that's what I told Mard Green the time we met to discuss rent.

It is against the law to discriminate in hiring.

Conan, I know you well enough.




"Nice town you live in."

How is this a Tulsa issue? It's a chain based two states away and this looks to be a corporate policy, not a local one.

[Teatownclown]

Seriously Swake?...where you been?

Just the other night I hosted a dinner where one of my guests started in on me how I was doomed to hell for being a non-believer. And I was buying the drinks that gave her the guts to speak her mind. The gall.

[custosnox]

If allegations are true then this is obviously a clear cut case of discrimination.  That being said, it doesn't make a lot of sense for someone who isn't Christian to work for a company that espouses Christianity as a part of their mission statement.  While a non-Christian can do so, I don't see why they would care to.  If they are unwilling to uphold the company mission, then that would be a reason to refuse employment. 

[Teatownclown]

If allegations are true then this is obviously a clear cut case of discrimination.  That being said, it doesn't make a lot of sense for someone who isn't Christian to work for a company that espouses Christianity as a part of their mission statement.  While a non-Christian can do so, I don't see why they would care to.  If they are unwilling to uphold the company mission, then that would be a reason to refuse employment. 

Damn straight. Too bad there aren't more Jews to choose from in our work force...they don't feel comfortable in this part of the world. 

[Conan71]

There are certain skills and understanding one must have to qualify. You wouldn't hire a vet to work in an emergency room. Well, maybe in Oklahoma.

But, can an employer really hold that out as a condition of employment?  What does someone really need to understand about Christianity to stock shelves or operate a bar code scanner on a cash register in a Christian book store?

[heironymouspasparagus]

I've been worried about making "no tobacco use" a condition of employment when I hire someone, so I guess that is way safer than checking the religion, now that it is out in the open.  One less worry.

[Conan71]

I've been worried about making "no tobacco use" a condition of employment when I hire someone, so I guess that is way safer than checking the religion, now that it is out in the open.  One less worry.

I applied for a grounds-keeping job at ORU when I was enrolled at TCC one summer.  They had a no tobacco policy in use.  That does not appear to be discriminatory.  At least not until tobacco use becomes defined as a disability.  Just wait...

[Townsend]

I've been worried about making "no tobacco use" a condition of employment when I hire someone, so I guess that is way safer than checking the religion, now that it is out in the open.  One less worry.

I think you can do that due to insurance liability or cost.  Am I right on one of those?  Seem to remember reading that.

[Hoss]

I think you can do that due to insurance liability or cost.  Am I right on one of those?  Seem to remember reading that.

Yes, to an extent.  Avis has that policy out here at CorpWoods.  Well, not the 'no tobacco use', but they no longer allow it's use on the campus, so they have to walk out to the outer drive and stand by a couple of little sapling trees.  And they've put sufficient enough pressure on the management company here that it forced our company to revise where employees could use it.  Many were upset.  Didn't bother me since I quit back in 07.

[Teatownclown]

But, can an employer really hold that out as a condition of employment?  What does someone really need to understand about Christianity to stock shelves or operate a bar code scanner on a cash register in a Christian book store?

Verse? Tongues?

[Conan71]

Yes, to an extent.  Avis has that policy out here at CorpWoods.  Well, not the 'no tobacco use', but they no longer allow it's use on the campus, so they have to walk out to the outer drive and stand by a couple of little sapling trees.  And they've put sufficient enough pressure on the management company here that it forced our company to revise where employees could use it.  Many were upset.  Didn't bother me since I quit back in 07.

Tulsa Fire Department instituted a no smoking policy of it's new recruits some time back.  I believe that pretty well speaks for itself.

I believe any company can simply say there is no smoking on company premises at any time.  That doesn't exclude smokers from being eligible for employment, it simply means they cannot smoke on campus.  At least until the previous scenario comes to fruition and smoking is deemed "therapeutic" for the disability of nicotine addiction.

Tongues?

Probably important to be a butcher.

[DolfanBob]

This kind of applies to this conversation. What are your thoughts about this Holy roller a$$hat CEO?

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-ceo-prays-with-insults-then-fires-employees/article/3680483

[MrsConan]

I have serious doubts about people who deem Christianity important in business relations.  I went into business with a guy who was very concerned that my then-husband and myself were Christians.  He said his Christianity was very important to him.  Worked with him for a week when the true colors bled out.  He then stated he knew he was an a$$hole and was proud of it.  He said the only way to get anything from anybody was to be one.  Even went so far as to say he would teach me to be one too.  Needless to say, I didn't let the door hit me on my way out.

TTC: Your friend would be wise to steer clear of the ones touting their Christianity and spend more time with those living it.  She'd better ready herself as she will find that "type" is not exclusive to just one part of the country.

[Teatownclown]

I have serious doubts about people who deem Christianity important in business relations.  I went into business with a guy who was very concerned that my then-husband and myself were Christians.  He said his Christianity was very important to him.  Worked with him for a week when the true colors bled out.  He then stated he knew he was an a$$hole and was proud of it.  He said the only way to get anything from anybody was to be one.  Even went so far as to say he would teach me to be one too.  Needless to say, I didn't let the door hit me on my way out.

TTC: Your friend would be wise to steer clear of the ones touting their Christianity and spend more time with those living it.  She'd better ready herself as she will find that "type" is not exclusive to just one part of the country.

I think you're confused. Two mutually exclusive events. The woman from Jersey who said everyone on the surface is "nice" made no comment about religion. It was more an observation about our unauthenticated "community."

Now the other conversation I mentioned was that dirty drug alcohol trying, through an inconsiderate Christian woman, to exorcise my demons .