Paige Rogers is a 19-year-old student at Boyce College, a Christian university in Louisville, Kentucky, who is taking legal action against her former employer for religious discrimination.
She was sacked by a chain of popular coffee shops just because she shared the foundations of her faith.
While in college, she began a part-time job working as a barista at a Heine Brothers Coffee store.
Heine Brothers states on its website: Our shops are more than just places to get a great cup of coffee, they are comfortable and welcoming spaces that offer a great place to study, work from home, or relax.
Paige wrote in an article for Fox News: “I found this to be true during my time there. There was laughter, conversation, at times silence, and all in all an environment that Heine Brothers promised.”
“MY CHRISTIAN FAITH IS A CORE PART OF WHO I AM”
She added: “My Christian faith is a core part of who I am. My faith in Christ defines who I am and how I view the world.”
“I am a sinner saved by grace and God has changed my heart.”
“Ever since Christ saved me, I now seek to love others as Christ first loved us. That is my joy in life.”
So when two co-workers inquired about her faith last October, she was happy to share her beliefs with them.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE COFFEE SHOP LAST OCTOBER
“They discovered I attended a Christian college and immediately sparked a conversation about my religious beliefs on marriage, sexuality and other sensitive topics.”
“I’ve always been open to answering questions about my faith, so when given this opportunity to share my Christian views, I responded truthfully, respectfully, and only when invited to share.”
“A specific question they posed to me during that shift was extremely personal and uncomfortable.”
“Regarding my views on sexuality and marriage, I was asked, “So, you are waiting till marriage then?”
“Because they wanted to listen, I was willing to speak the truth in love, standing firm in my beliefs.”
“Even as we got deeper into conversations, I continued to answer all questions carefully and gently.”
A WEEK LATER PAIGE WAS SACKED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
“If the story ended there, I would just consider it a peaceful conversation between people who disagree. Unfortunately, it didn’t,” Paige continued in her Fox News article.
“A week later, I received a text from my manager at Heine Brothers with this abrupt message:”
After careful review and investigation, we have determined that your behaviour has violated Heine Bros’ policies regarding respectful workplace conduct and anti-discrimination.
It was reported and confirmed that you engaged in conversations in the workplace where you expressed religious beliefs in a manner that was unwelcome and offensive to others.
These conversations created discomfort among team members and contributed to a work environment inconsistent with our company values and code of conduct.
As per our internal policies and after a thorough investigation, we have decided to terminate your employment with Heine Bros effective immediately.
NO AVENUE FOR EXPLANATION, DISCUSSION OR A MEETING
And that was it. There was no attempt to hear Paige’s side of the complaint, no offer of a meeting and absolutely no meaningful explanation.
In a text conversation, Paige pointed out that the others had initiated the conversations.
She asked to see the video footage that the coffee shop said it had reviewed but was told that it was not company policy to let her see it.
But then the company expanded the reasons for her termination to ‘concerns regarding communication, frequent call-ins, and limited availability that impacted scheduling needs.’
“NO ONE SHOULD BE FIRED FOR RESPECTFULLY SHARING THEIR RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS
It appeared the employees who claimed to be offended by Paige’s answers, had an agenda to get her sacked just because of her Christian beliefs.
“My simple request is that Heine Brothers offer the same safe and welcoming environment to its religious workers that it says it offers to its customers,” she wrote.
“No one should be fired for respectfully sharing their religious viewpoints — especially when asked.”
PAIGE IS FORCED TO SEEK LEGAL HELP
The student sought help from First Liberty Institute which filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charge of discrimination last month.
The objective is to have the EEOC investigate Heine Brothers for religious discrimination and then being held accountable for its unlawful action as well as compensating Paige.
“The idea that an employer can fire an employee for simply voicing a religious belief, after being invited to do so, is chilling,” said Cliff Martin, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute.
“No employee should have to hide their faith in order to keep their job.”
Heine Brothers has so far made no public comment on the case.
EVANGELIST FRANKLIN GRAHAM WEIGHS INTO THE CASE
The case has caught the attention of America’s best known evangelist Franklin Graham:
He posted: “They asked Paige about her beliefs on marriage, sexuality, and other topics. She answered honestly and respectfully, and a week later received a text saying that her employment was being terminated immediately because she had violated policies about workplace conduct. Ridiculous.”
“Paige is right — no one should be fired for respectfully sharing their religious viewpoints — especially when asked.”
“I FIND THIS WHOLE SITUATION DISHEARTENING AND FRIGHTENING”
In concluding her article for Fox News, Paige wrote: “I find this whole situation disheartening and frightening.”
“I was never given the opportunity to share my side of the story, describe how the questions were asked, or explain how I simply shared my own personal beliefs.”
“People might not agree with my religious beliefs, but alignment with my personal opinions is not the issue.”
“The freedom for co-workers to voluntarily converse and share differing viewpoints without fear of termination is what’s at stake here.”
THE IRONY OF BEING SACKED IN A “WELCOMING” ENVIRONMENT
“It’s ironic that, when asked about my views on important topics, in the very same place where all people are claimed to be ‘welcome,’ I was fired for responding to a question from a co-worker,” lamented Paige Rogers.
“I was fired for my faith. Christians are called to speak the truth in love, and I firmly believe that is what I have done.”
“I hope to encourage others going through a similar situation to stay firm in their faith and trust that God will do the rest.”
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