U.S. Courts: Former Rockwell Collins engineer claims terminated over diversity training participation and religious objections to homosexuality

Systems Engineer Thomas O. Meeker, of Robins, and William D. Kurth, Lake City, Iowa, participating attorney for the Rutherford Institute, file a lawsuit claiming religious discrimination in employment; $300,000 requested.

From United States Courts – Northern District of Iowa:

Andrew Mlynarczyk [of Rockwell Collins Human Resources] told Meeker that Meeker’s e-mail messages were disrespectful and that Meeker had acted outside of the Defendant’s Standards of Business Conduct. Meeker again expressed his disagreement with Defendant’s diversity training and his belief that the training was promoting the homosexual lifestyle by insisting that employees accept, celebrate and embrace homosexuality. …

[Stephen L.] Brandt stated that the concerns of the Defendant’s management involved Meeker’s June 7 e-mail and Meeker’s objections to participating in diversity training. …

Meeker informed those at the meeting that his June 7 e-mail was not the most respectful way to convey his views and gave his assurance that he would not write any similar messages in the future. …

[According to court document, this excerpt is from a July 6, 2007 certified letter from Brandt to Meeker.]

Based on your recent e-mails and other communications, we believe that you are unwilling to treat gay or lesbian co-workers with respect in the workplace. … you have informed us that you refuse to participate in our diversity training program, even though this training is required for all employees. We believe your unwillingness to commit to treat your co-workers with respect, coupled with your refusal to participate in such training, impedes your ability to perform your job in a manner consistent with our Standards of Business Conduct policy. Based on the foregoing, we have decided to terminate your at-will employment at Rockwell Collins effective immediately.