Texas health care provider ordered to pay former employees for mandating prayer and religious

discussions

by Don Byrd, BJC.com, Mar 29, 2021

A Shepherd, Texas health care clinic has been ordered to pay $375,000 to 10 former employees for requiring them to attend mandatory daily prayer meetings. The workers say they were required to attend the meetings or face discipline by company managers.

The EEOC filed suit against the clinic saying employees shouldn't have to choose between their personal religious convictions and keeping their jobs. Title VIl of the Civil Rights Act bars religious discrimination in the workplace. Courts have interpreted the law to forbid employers from requiring employees to participate in religious activities, such as the prayer meetings and Bible readings conducted each morning at the Shepherd clinic.

Shepherd Health Care was ordered to pay $375,000 and provide nondiscrimination training for all employees after the former employees accused the company of conducting the mandatory religious meetings. A Buddhist employee claims she was fired after requesting to be excused from the religious activities.

The 10 former employees will share in the financial payment, although court records didn't show how much each would receive. The EEOC will continue to monitor the practices of Shepherd Health Care for a period of two and a half years.

1. What kind of case is it?

a. criminal

b. civil

c. not enough information to tell

2. What kind of case is it?

a. Private

b. Public

3. What kind of case is it?

a. state

b. federal

4. of the cases reviewed in this assignment, which do you think is the most serious violation of law?