Drugstore Chain Faces Possible Religious Discrimination Lawsuit
by Allie Martin and Jody Brown
November 21, 2003
(AgapePress) - A California drugstore chain may soon be sued by a Christian employee who has been told she cannot take Sundays off for worship.The employee recently requested an accommodation that allowed her to take Sundays off from work so she could attend church services. However, the woman's supervisors at Longs Drugs in Rocklin denied her request, saying if she insisted on not working on Sundays, she would be demoted and effectively given a salary cut through a reduced work schedule.
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Brad Dacus |
Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute says his firm is prepared to sue Longs Drugs on behalf the woman."The Apostle Paul, in Acts 22, used his legal rights for due process and later on for appeal as a Roman citizen for God's glory and to do God's work," Dacus says. "In the same way, I believe God has given us laws in this country to be used for His glory, and for us to us those in a way that would glorify Him -- and that includes attending the house of worship that He's given us."
Toward that end, PJI sent a letter to Longs Drugs explaining the workplace rights that people of faith are entitled to under both federal and California law.
Dacus says it is "outrageous" that Longs will only accommodate his client if she agrees to be demoted and incur a loss of salary. "There's no undue hardship or burden on the employer because there's other employees willing to work on that Sunday," he explains. "It's just an employer who isn't willing to be accommodative for Christians."
The attorney says a lawsuit may be inevitable. "Although we are hopeful that Longs Drugs will favorably respond to the letter we have sent it, we are entirely committed to vindicating the rights of this employee in a court of law if necessary."
