My sympathies aside, no one should be forced to worship a deity they don’t believe in but, $1.6 million? Wow.
The owner should have made the prayer service optional and / or the chef should have demanded to be left out of the service. But the fine is really the only crime committed here.
I’m sure the owners will appeal or file bankruptcy. This is getting ridiculous. If I had a business, I’d sure do some thorough background checks on possible employees and not hire those I think would cause trouble. There are certain groups you can count on to to this and although it sounds discriminatory - you don’t have to tell them why they weren’t hired - just put their applications of file forever.
That’s ridiculous.
But I agree that she should not be forced to go to church.