Posted on 04/01/2014 4:00:01 PM PDT by nickcarraway
New York appeals court affirmed the 2012 ruling for Mirella Salemi.
A New York appeals court has affirmed a lower court’s 2012 ruling that a lesbian chef is owed $1.6 million for being forced to attend weekly prayer meetings where her boss would regularly warn that "gay people" were "going to go to hell."
Mirella Salemi sued Gloria's Tribeca Inc., Gloria's Tribecamex and principal owner Edward Globokar for violations of the New York City Human Rights Law after a string of incidents that occurred between 2004 and 2007. Gloria's Tribeca is a Mexican restaurant.
Salemi was awarded $400,000 in compensatory damages and $1.2 million in punitive damages in what her lawyer, Derek Smith, called "the largest employment verdict in 2012 in New York." A three-judge panel of the Appellate Division's Manhattan-based First Department affirmed the verdict for Salemi.
“He not only threatened her soul, but he also threatened her livelihood,” Smith told the New York Post in 2012. “He thought praying might cure her of her sexuality, but she is someone who didn’t need to be saved.”
Globokar had attempted to argue that he was simply exercising his right to free speech.
"The trial court properly protected Globokar's First Amendment rights by instructing the jury that he had 'a right to express his religious beliefs and practice religion, providing that he does not discriminate against his employees based on religion or sexual orientation,'" the judges wrote in their ruling.
He had every right to pray as he wished. He did not have the right to compel any one else do do so, the amount is I think to high but he was quite in the wrong.
There was a time when the courts were used to seek remedies for people who were ACTUALLY hurt in some way.
Now it’s millions for the hurt feelings of a specially-privileged government-certified victim group.
Better spend it all as Lucifer only deals in Souls!
If he “forced” her she’s a coward. But I see the merits of coercion to earn money.
Still, if she was any good she could have found work elsewhere.
[ A New York appeals court has affirmed a lower court’s 2012 ruling that a lesbian chef is owed $1.6 million for being forced to attend weekly prayer meetings where her boss would regularly warn that “gay people” were “going to go to hell.” ]
If she was being forced to go to meetings then I would say the only money owed is perhapse the salary covering that time + legal expenses...
Of course one shouldn’t be able to force an employee to go to a prayer meeting as a condition of employment UNLESS the employment is at a Church or other religious institution.
You couldn’t have an islamic business owner forcing christian employees to read from the koran for instance...
However, I wonder if this is something that is being blown up...you know for “agenda purposes”...
nah... couldn’t be....
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. - Matthew 6:6
He had every right to pray as he wished. He did not have the right to compel any one else do do so, the amount is I think to high but he was quite in the wrong.
The amount is WAY overblown, it should at the MOST be the person’s salary covering the time in question.
So forinstace if he forced her to pray from 1/1/2012 to 6/1/2012 the MAX would be 6 months of pay.... MAXIMUM and not a penny MORE...
The guy was foolish. He should have just found a way to discreetly lay her off after he learned this woman was a hate filled dyke (a tautology, I know).
I agree that he shouldn’t have compelled her to go. Who do I sue for employees being compelled to go to “diversity” indoctrination?
I am trying to think how this would be if the situation were reversed. If my employer was gay or lesbian and insisted that I attend “meetings” that celebrate the gay lifestyle, then I would just quit and go elsewhere....oh wait, this is going on in most of the major workplaces across the nation in the interest of DIVERSITY. I guess I am just plum out of luck....
I keep saying that eventually somebody’s going to file a hostile-environment suit for being forced to watch those harassment videos. It doesn’t matter how you meant it, it’s how the victim felt about it, right?
$400,000 compensation on top of $1,200,000 punitive damages.
I wonder how much my friend could clear for having to go in once a month for a mandatory meeting (on his day off) for an UNPAID staff meeting.
> There was a time when the courts were used to seek remedies for people who were ACTUALLY hurt in some way.
>
> Now it’s millions for the hurt feelings of a specially-privileged government-certified victim group.
Not to mention denying that those who have suffered hurt have no ‘standing’.
Can employees of In & Out Burger (for instance) sue claiming a "hostile work environment" because of biblical quotes on the french fry bags they must handle?
If she didn't like what he was doing, she could have sought employment elsewhere. Problem solved. He didn't force her at the point of gun to attend his prayer sessions.
When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
[ Can employees of In & Out Burger (for instance) sue claiming a “hostile work environment” because of biblical quotes on the french fry bags they must handle? ]
No, because they are not being forced to read them.
You cannot force an employee to do the crossword on a McDonalds placemat either...
That is what unemployment compensation is for. If she was offended by the request, she should have refused to participate and allowed him to fire her. Then, she can collect an unemployment check.
That’s funny because it’s true!
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