Filed Date: Aug. 4, 1999
Closed Date: Aug. 14, 2000
Clearinghouse coding complete
On August 4th, 1999, the the United States Department of Justice ("D.O.J.") filed a lawsuit under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., against the City of Winter Springs, Florida in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The DOJ sought injunctive relief and compensatory damages, alleging that the defendant violated Title VII by discriminating against a former employee of the City of Winter Springs Fire Department on the basis of religion.
The employee was a member of Branhamism (a fundamentalist Christian religion), whose practices include not displaying or participating in the display of decorations commonly associated with Christmas, not watching television, wearing conservative dress in public, daily reading of the bible, and listening to religious audio tapes. The complaint alleges that the defendant was aware of these religious observances, and despite this knowledge, ordered the employee to prepare Christmas decorations for display at the fire station. Furthermore, the defendant formally disciplined the employee after he complied, but told his supervisors that he did not want to take further part in similar activities. The employee was eventually discharged from employment.
A settlement agreement was reached. It states that the charging party accepted a sum of thirty thousand dollars in compensation, that the defendant acknowledges that it shall not engage in any act or practice discriminates on the basis of religion, and that the defendant shall not retaliate against any person.
The case was closed on August 14th, 2000.
Summary Authors
Jennifer Hau (11/11/2007)
Conway, Anne C. (Florida)
Fenton, William B. (District of Columbia)
Hopkins, Ralph E (Florida)
Brown, James G. (Florida)
Green, Dorothy F. (Florida)
Conway, Anne C. (Florida)
Last updated March 20, 2024, 3:12 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Florida
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 4, 1999
Closing Date: Aug. 14, 2000
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States, on behalf of a member of a fundamentalist Christian religion
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
City of Winter Springs (Winter Springs), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Mixed
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
Discrimination-area:
Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff
Discrimination-basis: