JPL Wins religious discrimination suit

void * · 01-20-2013, 11:54

Apologies if this has been posted before - I did a couple of quick searches and nothing came back.

A while back, here on GT, there were a couple of threads about this lawsuit.

The results are in:

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/brea...nation-lawsuit

Full proposed statement of decision at http://ncse.com/files/20121130_Propo...f-Decision.pdf

The court's ruling adopting the proposed statement of decision: http://ncse.com/files/20130116_Court...f_Decision.pdf

Japle · 01-20-2013, 12:42

"The evidence shows that Caltech has a detailed layoff policy, incorporating a layoff ranking process, which (Coppedge's supervisor) carried out. The evidence clearly shows that (Coppedge's co- workers) were more qualified than Coppedge regarding the skills needed on the project going forward, such as SCO/ ITL, web servers, and Linux, and that Coppedge had a history of poor customer relationships, particularly in comparison to the other System Administrators," the judgement said.

Poorly qualified and a jerk. Of course they fired him.

Gunhaver · 01-20-2013, 12:43

JBnTX · 01-20-2013, 14:18

Satan wins another one...

"You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." - Mark 13:13

..

Sarge1400 · 01-20-2013, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

Satan wins another one...

"You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." - Mark 13:13

..

Are you saying the should have kept him, even though others were clearly more qualified, simply because he was religious?

Glock36shooter · 01-20-2013, 17:38

If it's ignorant to consider creationism as a Christian Religious view... why is it religious discrimination even if they did lay him off for accepting creationism? Seems they laid of a scientist that accepts junk science. Can't be religious discrimination if creationism is just an alternative scientific explanation. If creationism IS a religious view... it isn't any kind of science.

**Cavalry Doc** · 01-20-2013, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock36shooter

If it's ignorant to consider creationism as a Christian Religious view...

It's not an ignorant claim to claim that, it's obviously a gnostic claim to claim that. Not a smidgen more gnostic to claim that there has never been a deity. Prejudgement should be avoided as much as possible, and tolerance should be pursued, well, if you don't want to see 7 figure legal settlements.

Quote:

why is it religious discrimination even if they did lay him off for accepting creationism? Seems they laid of a scientist that accepts junk science. Can't be religious discrimination if creationism is just an alternative scientific explanation. If creationism IS a religious view... it isn't any kind of science.

If it can be proven that his supervisors treated him differently because of his beliefs, there is a case here. His lawyers will be very happy about that.

The bold and enlarged red portion of your post above seem to imply that you don't understand a lot about EEO or the first amendment to the Constitution. There is also a very high probability that you do not have a lot of experience in labor relations law. Do some case law searches, and you will realize that being legally protected does not mean that their opinions agree with yours. In fact, discriminating solely based on a religious belief that you disagree with, might open you and your organization up to a rather large amount of financial liability. In fact, a manager posting online that they support that kind of behavior, can open themselves and their employer to a surprising amount of liability, both personal and organizational.

Gunhaver · 01-20-2013, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock36shooter

If it's ignorant to consider creationism as a Christian Religious view... why is it religious discrimination even if they did lay him off for accepting creationism? Seems they laid of a scientist that accepts junk science. Can't be religious discrimination if creationism is just an alternative scientific explanation. If creationism IS a religious view... it isn't any kind of science.

Oh, snap!

I wonder if I could get my masters in geology, go to work for a oil or mineral prospecting company, immediately switch to a YEC view of geology and then claim religious discrimination when they fired my ass for being useless?

"You won't find any copper over there fellas, the great flood done washed it all away!"

or

"No oil over here. Can't be any oil anywhere. It takes millions of years for that stuff to form and the bible shows the earth to be only 6000 years old!"

Seems like that wouldn't fly.

JBnTX · 01-20-2013, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge1400

Are you saying the should have kept him, even though others were clearly more qualified, simply because he was religious?

My post says what it says.

Sarge1400 · 01-20-2013, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

My post says what it says.

Lol, ok. Watch out for the boogeyman.

**Cavalry Doc** · 01-20-2013, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge1400

Are you saying the should have kept him, even though others were clearly more qualified, simply because he was religious?

You'd be surprised how much information you can get with the FIOA and title 5 USC 7114(b)(4).

Personal emails between management officials are not off limits. If someone made a statement that a disinterested third party would agree was religiously discriminatory, and he was denied a job based on his religious persuasion, the bosses are screwed.

Sarge1400 · 01-20-2013, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavalry Doc

You'd be surprised how much information you can get with the FIOA and title 5 USC 7114(b)(4).

Personal emails between management officials are not off limits. If someone made a statement that a disinterested third party would agree was religiously discriminatory, and he was denied a job based on his religious persuasion, the bosses are screwed.

I don't disagree, but it hardly means "Satan wins".

steveksux · 01-20-2013, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

Satan wins another one...

"You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." - Mark 13:13

..

So you're saying Satan was responsible for his relative lack of qualifications compared to the guys that weren't laid off, and Satan was responsible for him being a dick to his customers?

Randy

Gunhaver · 01-22-2013, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

Satan wins another one...

"You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." - Mark 13:13

..

That's why I included him in my smilie dance party.

Glock36shooter · 01-22-2013, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunhaver

That's why I included him in my smilie dance party.

Glock36shooter · 01-21-2013, 07:53

I feel sorry for stupid people.

JBnTX · 01-21-2013, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock36shooter

I feel sorry for stupid people.

Do you use a certain standard to determine this "stupidity", or is it just defined by people who disagree with you?

**Cavalry Doc** · 01-21-2013, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

Do you use a certain standard to determine this "stupidity", or is it just defined by people who disagree with you?

It's just a lack of manners on his part. Self esteem issues on his part, that's all. He is an interesting caricature.

Glock36shooter · 01-21-2013, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

Do you use a certain standard to determine this "stupidity", or is it just defined by people who disagree with you?

No it usually has to do with people that babble idiotically without having any of the information... even though it was freely available.

Let me ask you... is Creationism Science or Religion?

**Cavalry Doc** · 01-21-2013, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock36shooter

No it usually has to do with people that babble idiotically without having any of the information... even though it was freely available.

Let me ask you... is Creationism Science or Religion?

If it was created, and that could be proven, it would be science.

steveksux · 01-21-2013, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavalry Doc

If it was created, and that could be proven, it would be science.

And if your aunt had balls, and she proved it to you, she'd be your uncle.

If you're a surgeon, and you refuse to operate on anyone since you believe in healing through prayer as part of your religion, damn right you can be fired for your religious beliefs.

Randy

JBnTX · 01-21-2013, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock36shooter

...
Let me ask you... is Creationism Science or Religion?

Religion.

Glock36shooter · 01-21-2013, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

Religion.

I agree... so it has no place in public schools.

cowboywannabe · 01-21-2013, 10:17

a priest cant take a job as an abortionist and then say he wont cut the baby up inside the womb because of his religeon, then sue after getting fired for not committing an abortion....saying he was fired because of his religeous beliefs....

**Cavalry Doc** · 01-21-2013, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboywannabe

a priest cant take a job as an abortionist and then say he wont cut the baby up inside the womb because of his religeon, then sue after getting fired for not committing an abortion....saying he was fired because of his religeous beliefs....

There are plenty of examples of people gaming the system for their own agenda. Many times, both sides of an issue will do that, especially where the courts are involved.