Is Texas’ Juvenile Justice Department Guilty of Religious Discrimination?

A woman in Dallas has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for alleged religious discrimination, wrongful termination and workplace retaliation.

The plaintiff, who began working for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in January 2015, says that she experienced discrimination from supervisors and colleagues on a regular basis because of her beliefs as a Spiritualist. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff was treated unfairly, because she was critical of the overt and numerous Christian symbols around the workplace.

In addition to the discrimination she suffered at the hands of her coworkers, the plaintiff argues that her employers fired her in retaliation after she made a complaint rather than stopping the harassment.

The plaintiff wants a trial by jury, as well as back pay, front pay, reinstatement, reimbursement for legal fees and any other damages a jury may see fit to award.

Workplace Discrimination and Retaliation

Employers are prohibited from making employment decisions, such as hiring or firing, based on a person’s religious beliefs. The fact that this employee was not only experiencing religious discrimination, but was also fired for making harassment complaints is unacceptable.

It was the responsibility of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to stop the discrimination and harassment, but, if the allegations are true, it decided to wrongfully terminate an employee for filing a complaint, which is textbook workplace retaliation.

Dallas employment lawyer Dan A. Atkerson hates workplace bullies, and fights every day for victims of harassment, discrimination and retaliation.