Paige Rogers is a sophomore at Boyce College, a Christian college in Louisville, Kentucky. She was a part-time employee at Heine Brothers Coffee. Two co-workers found out that she attended a Christian college and asked her what she believes about marriage and sexuality.
Rogers told the truth. Shortly afterward, the company fired her via text message. The reason? She violated the company’s policies “regarding respectful workplace conduct and antidiscrimination.”
Rogers filed a complaint (PDF) with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). An excerpt:
“[The text message] also said that I had ‘engaged in conversations in the workplace where [I] expressed religious beliefs in a manner that was unwelcome and offensive to others,’ and that ‘these conversations created discomfort among team members.’ I was never questioned whether communications by others had offended me or made me feel unwelcome, nor was I given a chance to respond to any complaints or offer my perspective.”
The exclusivity of the Gospel does tend to offend the unbeliever. But firing someone for believing the Gospel — and sharing it when asked — is religious discrimination. Heine Brothers Coffee’s employment policies do not exonerate the company for violating Roger’s rights, as they will soon understand.
First Liberty Institute and Sturgill Turner law firm represent Rogers.
The EEOC under President Donald Trump likely will investigate Heine Brothers Coffee. It’s in the company’s best interest to apologize to Rogers and change the employment policies.
Heine Brothers Coffee was under federal investigation three years ago over unpaid tips and wages. Now they face another federal investigation.
