After harassing co-workers, fired man sues

[Inthemiddle]

Co-workers felt harassed to watch his DVDs

I'm curious how many people will read this, or just jump up and say something. Basically, a man uses his work time to discuss his religious beliefs. Co-workers become uncomfortable, he's told by his supervisors to refrain from such discussions. He continues anyway, and gets fired. Now he sues for wrongful termination.

What's so wrong with discussing religion? His job should be forced to either give him his job back, or pay out a few million or something. It's not like the job market is good and he can go find another job. People can't afford to be fired for their religious beliefs in times like this.

His suit also claims that supervisors wrongly admonished him for distributing DVD documentary films

In his role, Coppedge was responsible for making technical and scientific recommendations to management and developing presentations about various technical capabilities of new systems and upgrades, his attorney William Becker Jr. said during opening arguments

In March 2009, Coppedge claims that his supervisor advised him that co-workers had complained that he was harassing them over debates about his religious views and coercing them in the workplace into watching DVD programs....During his opening statements Tuesday, attorney Becker Jr. told a judge hearing the case that Coppedge's supervisor threatened him with termination if he "pushed his religion" and ordered Coppedge to refrain from discussing politics or religion with anyone in the office.

In their response to the civil suit, attorneys for JPL stated in court documents that one of Coppedge's co-workers complained to his supervisor that Coppedge made her feel so uncomfortable in discussing "non work related topics" that it bordered on harassment. The supervisor encouraged Coppedge to limit his discussions about topics like religion and politics to periods like lunch breaks, according to the response.

Coppedge was demoted after eight years as lead systems administrator and terminated last year. He cited those actions as a factor in basis for his suit claiming religious discrimination, retaliation, harassment and wrongful demotion.

JPL has denied Coppedge's termination complaint, contending he was among 246 employees laid off as part of a downsizing plan that affected 300 staffers.

 

[strollingbones]

he wasnt fired for religious beliefs he was fired for not ceasing when told to by his employer

 

[Conservative]

Not sure of all the facts in this case, but here's my take on this kind of situation.

If you discuss religion or any subject with co-workers, and they express discomfort... stop. If you repeatedly bring up the topic, after being told it makes others uncomfortable, then you're pretty much asking for disciplinary action.

Repeatedly trying to get co-workers to talk about something they have told you makes them uncomfortable is a form of harassment.

Now, if you have repeated discussions with a co-worker on religion or any other subject, and the co-workers involved in said discussions are not uncomfortable with it, that is a completely different matter. You should not face any form of discipline for taking part in a conversation that both parties are okay with. If someone not part of the conversation overhears it and is made uncomfortable, then you should probably move the conversation to a better place, so as to avoid that person claiming harassment.

Again, this is just my general opinion on this topic, and not an assessment of the OP itself, as I have yet to fully review it.

 

[NLT]

He rightfully got the boot in the ass he deserved. I respect his religous views but he needs to keep them to him self. Same goes for employee's political views.

 

[Ernie S.]

Free speech doesn't extend to the work place. I can tell barck obama to go fuck himself without fear of prosecution, but if I say the same thing to my employer, I'm gone.
True story, actually, though it was over 40 years ago.

 

[Ernie S.]

It is interesting though that he was fired from JPL, which is a government facility. There could be a 1st amendment argument made.

 

[Inthemiddle]

But the guy was just doing what his religion tells him he should do. Doesn't freedom of religion mean that the court has to make him exempt?

 

[Ernie S.]

No. Now do you see that your perception of reality differs from the truth?

 

[Inthemiddle]

No. Now do you see that your perception of reality differs from the truth?

Hook, line, sinker.

 

[Mr Natural]

He was being paid to work, not to waste his employers time and the time of others expressing his opinions.

 

[AmberR108]

he wasnt fired for religious beliefs he was fired for not ceasing when told to by his employer

Agreed. If he wasn't able to complete the job he applied for and the employer carefully builds up a case around that, it shouldn't be an issue of religion.

 

[Syphon]

It is interesting though that he was fired from JPL, which is a government facility. There could be a 1st amendment argument made.

it wouldnt be a first amendment issue since he was trying to distribute materials on private property. no matter what the subject matter, if he did not have permission to distribute said information on company property he could be subject to disciplinary action up and to termination depending on the employee code of conduct (which is typically in the employee handbook) which large corporations make you acknowledge and sign off when hired.

 

[Claudette]

I agree.

He should have stopped the second his co-workers complained.

Guys a moron and got just what he deserved.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

Co-workers felt harassed to watch his DVDs

I'm curious how many people will read this, or just jump up and say something. Basically, a man uses his work time to discuss his religious beliefs. Co-workers become uncomfortable, he's told by his supervisors to refrain from such discussions. He continues anyway, and gets fired. Now he sues for wrongful termination.

What's so wrong with discussing religion? His job should be forced to either give him his job back, or pay out a few million or something. It's not like the job market is good and he can go find another job. People can't afford to be fired for their religious beliefs in times like this.

His suit also claims that supervisors wrongly admonished him for distributing DVD documentary films

In his role, Coppedge was responsible for making technical and scientific recommendations to management and developing presentations about various technical capabilities of new systems and upgrades, his attorney William Becker Jr. said during opening arguments

In their response to the civil suit, attorneys for JPL stated in court documents that one of Coppedge's co-workers complained to his supervisor that Coppedge made her feel so uncomfortable in discussing "non work related topics" that it bordered on harassment. The supervisor encouraged Coppedge to limit his discussions about topics like religion and politics to periods like lunch breaks, according to the response.

Coppedge was demoted after eight years as lead systems administrator and terminated last year. He cited those actions as a factor in basis for his suit claiming religious discrimination, retaliation, harassment and wrongful demotion.

JPL has denied Coppedge's termination complaint, contending he was among 246 employees laid off as part of a downsizing plan that affected 300 staffers.

So, if the job market improves, then it's acceptable to fire people for their religious beliefs?

Good grief.

 

[Syphon]

Co-workers felt harassed to watch his DVDs

I'm curious how many people will read this, or just jump up and say something. Basically, a man uses his work time to discuss his religious beliefs. Co-workers become uncomfortable, he's told by his supervisors to refrain from such discussions. He continues anyway, and gets fired. Now he sues for wrongful termination.

What's so wrong with discussing religion? His job should be forced to either give him his job back, or pay out a few million or something. It's not like the job market is good and he can go find another job. People can't afford to be fired for their religious beliefs in times like this.

His suit also claims that supervisors wrongly admonished him for distributing DVD documentary films

Coppedge was demoted after eight years as lead systems administrator and terminated last year. He cited those actions as a factor in basis for his suit claiming religious discrimination, retaliation, harassment and wrongful demotion.

JPL has denied Coppedge's termination complaint, contending he was among 246 employees laid off as part of a downsizing plan that affected 300 staffers.

So, if the job market improves, then it's acceptable to fire people for their religious beliefs?

Good grief.

it has nothing to do with his beliefs. they never said his firing was based on his beliefs, that would be illegal. they said his firing had to do with the harassment of other employee. simply because of the subject matter was religion has no bearing. the subject matter could have been sexual or otherwise, but it still doesnt matter.

if your company has one, you should read your employee handbook cover to cover and see what the reasons are that your employer can terminate you.

 

[Full-Auto]

Co-workers felt harassed to watch his DVDs

I'm curious how many people will read this, or just jump up and say something. Basically, a man uses his work time to discuss his religious beliefs. Co-workers become uncomfortable, he's told by his supervisors to refrain from such discussions. He continues anyway, and gets fired. Now he sues for wrongful termination.

What's so wrong with discussing religion? His job should be forced to either give him his job back, or pay out a few million or something. It's not like the job market is good and he can go find another job. People can't afford to be fired for their religious beliefs in times like this.

His suit also claims that supervisors wrongly admonished him for distributing DVD documentary films

In his role, Coppedge was responsible for making technical and scientific recommendations to management and developing presentations about various technical capabilities of new systems and upgrades, his attorney William Becker Jr. said during opening arguments

In their response to the civil suit, attorneys for JPL stated in court documents that one of Coppedge's co-workers complained to his supervisor that Coppedge made her feel so uncomfortable in discussing "non work related topics" that it bordered on harassment. The supervisor encouraged Coppedge to limit his discussions about topics like religion and politics to periods like lunch breaks, according to the response.

Coppedge was demoted after eight years as lead systems administrator and terminated last year. He cited those actions as a factor in basis for his suit claiming religious discrimination, retaliation, harassment and wrongful demotion.

JPL has denied Coppedge's termination complaint, contending he was among 246 employees laid off as part of a downsizing plan that affected 300 staffers.

How were his discussions work related?

 

[Ernie S.]

No. Now do you see that your perception of reality differs from the truth?

Hook, line, sinker.

What does that mean? You baited, thinking Conservatives would rush to defend this guy on religious grounds and you failed to catch even one fish.
FAIL, Urkel.
Actually your avatar is very appropriate. You are the real life personification of Steve Urkel.

 

[Caroljo]

It was the company's property...he was making other people at that company uncomfortable and they didn't want to talk about it (or watch a DVD). When his boss said to stop he should have stopped immediately. Besides, it does NO good to continue to push religion on others that do not want to hear or talk about it. I don't believe his religion had anything to do with his firing...it was just plain harrassment.

 

[Ernie S.]

It is interesting though that he was fired from JPL, which is a government facility. There could be a 1st amendment argument made.

it wouldnt be a first amendment issue since he was trying to distribute materials on private property. no matter what the subject matter, if he did not have permission to distribute said information on company property he could be subject to disciplinary action up and to termination depending on the employee code of conduct (which is typically in the employee handbook) which large corporations make you acknowledge and sign off when hired.

But the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is not private property. It is US government property.

 

[Syphon]

It is interesting though that he was fired from JPL, which is a government facility. There could be a 1st amendment argument made.

it wouldnt be a first amendment issue since he was trying to distribute materials on private property. no matter what the subject matter, if he did not have permission to distribute said information on company property he could be subject to disciplinary action up and to termination depending on the employee code of conduct (which is typically in the employee handbook) which large corporations make you acknowledge and sign off when hired.

But the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is not private property. It is US government property.

its still considered private property. same way army bases are considered private property. it is not public property, as in the general public is not allowed within JPL at any time.

regardless of the semantics you want play, he was distributing information in a place that did not allow it.