Type to search

Business Church Uncategorized

Wyoming Rescue Mission Settles Case to Exclusively Hire ‘Like-Minded’ Christians

Avatar photo

A lawsuit filed two months ago against government officials threatening to punish the Wyoming Rescue Mission for exclusively hiring like-minded Christian employees has settled.

The Mission sought help from Alliance Defending Freedom after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (Department) launched a 16-month-long investigation to determine whether the non-profit engaged in religious discrimination prohibited by law.

The investigation began after the Mission chose not to hire a “self-proclaimed ‘non-Christian’” for one of their thrift store associate positions, according to the suit. As a result, the applicant filed a religious discrimination charge, and government officials began investigating the Mission.

The faith-based Mission assists Casper residents through a homeless shelter, recovery programs, and a clothing voucher service. The Mission also owns two Rescued Treasures thrift stores that “make clear that they are a ministry of Wyoming Rescue Mission,” the suit states.

The role included teaching Discipleship Recovery Program guests how to model Christ, spread the gospel, and disciple others. The job posting explained applicants must be a person of “strong faith” who will live out and agree with the Mission’s Statement of Faith.

The Mission says it fulfills its religious purpose by “maintaining a body of like-minded believers, so it only hires people who agree with and adhere to its religious beliefs.”

The EEOC and the Department determined the Mission violated the Wyoming Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) and Title VII for refusing to hire the applicant.

Access to MinistryWatch content is free.  However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts.  To make a donation, click here.

However, these laws do not apply to faith-based organizations’ religiously based employment decisions, and the Mission filed the suit claiming the EEOC and the Department repeatedly ignored their exemptions.

The suit states the Mission was “forced to obtain counsel and expend time and resources responding to the Defendants’ requests.” In addition, the Mission claimed threats of liability and penalties severely restricted its hiring process.

During the investigation, the Department also requested that Mission provide written compliance reports, submit to inspection and examination, post compliance notices on its property, and pay back pay.

Although the EEOC eventually decided not to sue the Mission, it said it reserved the right to sue them later, court documents said.

As part of the Wyoming Rescue Mission v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission settlement, the Department and the EEOC agreed to pay the rescue mission’s attorneys’ fees. In addition, the court dismissed EEOC from the case and signed a consent decree settling it with the state.

Tags:
Avatar photo
Jessica Eturralde

Jessica Eturralde is a military wife of 18 years and mother of three who serves as a freelance writer, TV host, and filmmaker. Bylines include Yahoo, Huffington Post, OC16TV.

    1