Woman says she was fired for refusing boss's 'repeated and unwanted requests' to pray
A California woman has filed a claim alleging that she was fired from her role as director of Ventura County’s animal control agency last fall because she declined her boss’s suggestions to pray, the Ventura County Star reports.
Tara Diller claims she was wrongfully terminated from Ventura County Animal Services last October because she “rejected and refused” the “repeated and unwanted requests for religious prayer” made by her boss, Johnson Gill. The claim, which was filed early this month, did not elaborate on why Gill allegedly asked her to pray.
Diller is seeking $25,000 in damages and is reportedly prepared to sue if a settlement is not reached.
County human resources director Shawn Atin has denied that Diller was let go because of her refusal to pray, though officials have not elaborated on what prompted her termination. According to the Ventura County Star, it is being treated as a “private personnel matter.”
One complication is that Diller was an “at-will” employee, a designation that means she could be fired at any time, with or without cause. To fire her over a religious matter, however, would be illegal.
Yahoo Lifestyle has reached out to Diller’s attorney for comment.
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