Chick-Fil-A makes no secret that it was found-ed and still operates on Christian principles. But one franchisee is now being sued by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – for allegedly discriminating against a Christian believer…
The United Church of God is a relatively small organization. At least compared to Catholicism, Judaism or Islam. But it holds strong tenets. One of which is that its Sabbath day is Saturday, not Sunday like most other Christian denominations.
The franchise operator, Hatch Trick Inc. of Austin Texas, initially agreed to allow the female employee to have her Saturdays scheduled off. But after a few months, she had assumed the ‘managerial’ role of delivery driver dispatcher. And, as a ‘manager’, she was told she would have to work Saturdays. Company policy.
And if she refused the request, she would have to accept a delivery driver position with lower pay, reduced benefits and fewer hours. She proposed a compromise for Saturdays, which would have seen her working after sundown, which would be allowed under her denomination’s rules. Hatch Trick refused. And she was fired.
Enter, the Feds…
The employee then complained to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
“Religious discrimination in the workplace is unlawful, and employers must make reasonable accom-modations for employees’ sincerely held beliefs,” EEOC San Antonio Field Office Director Norma Guzman said.
Now, the EEOC is suing Hatch Trick, demanding compensation for the employee. There could also be fines and other penalties.
Seems odd…
How ironic that a Chick-Fil-A franchisee should be in a mess over a religious discrimination. The CFA website’s ‘About’ page underlines the company’s strict commitment to preserving the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship:
“Our founder, Truett Cathy, made the decision to close on Sundays in 1946 when he opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia. Having worked seven days a week in restaurants open 24 hours, Truett saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose — a practice we uphold today.”
But it doesn’t say anything about the Sabbath days of other religions, even if they’re branches of Cathy’s own…
CFA responds…
CFA told local ABC News affiliate KVUE, in a statement: “It’s important to know that, as a franchise business, all employment decisions are solely the responsibility of each individual restaurant owner.”
A cagey response? Yes. But there’s a court case in process…
My take
I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the meeting that will inevitably take place between CFA corporate and the franchisee…
~ Maggie J.