A Miami company that provides medical and chiropractic services, has agreed to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit that claimed it required certain employees to spend at least half their work days in courses that involved Scientology religious practices, such as screaming at ashtrays or staring at someone for 8 hours without moving.
The lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Among other allegations, the company allegedly required one employee to undergo an “audit” by connecting herself to an “E-meter,” which Scientologists believe is a religious artifact and required her to undergo “purification” treatment at the Church of Scientology.
According to the EEOC’s suit, employees repeatedly asked not to attend the courses but were told it was a requirement of the job.
In addition, two employees said they were fired after they refused to participate in Scientology religious practices and/or did not conform to Scientology religious beliefs.
According to the terms of the consent decree, the company will pay $170,000 to settle the lawsuit. Payments will be made to the four named claimants and four other identified class members.
Wow–that’s pretty blatant. I’m also curious whether employees were paid for time spent, for example, staring at someone for 8 hours.