Trial ordered for firm accused of requiring cult-like acts

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Trial ordered for firm accused of requiring cult-like acts

Updated 2:13 am, Wednesday, October 5, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in New York City has ruled that a Long Island firm that provides discount medical plans must face a discrimination trial after workers said they were forced to pray, chant and participate in spiritual interpersonal workshops.

Newsday reported (http://nwsdy.li/2dIE48H ) Tuesday that the Brooklyn judge ruled United Health Programs of America in Syosset (seye-AH'-siht) must face charges from workers who said they were fired because they didn't participate.

The judge says the program, known as "Onionhead," used an approach that amounted to a religion.

The judge says workers described a cult-like environment with religious ceremonies that included burning incense to cleanse the workplace and dimming lights to prevent demons from entering.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Trial-ordered-for-firm-accused-of-requiring-9718087.php

[Orrex]

1. Well, how else do you think they'd keep the demons from entering?

religious ceremonies that included burning incense to cleanse the workplace and dimming lights to prevent demons from entering.

That's an entirely different level from the "Customer Service Week" stuff that my company does each year, which mostly amounts to getting to wear jeans for a whole week.

[JHB]

3. You could strew beans in front of them...

...but maybe that only works for Japanese demons.

This bit of random folklore has been brought to you by the letter "f".

[Javaman]

5. call me crazy but I would think demons would like mood lighting....

but hey, what do I know when it comes to crazy cults?

LOL

[Ford_Prefect]

2. The latest stage in a long, long battle over religion and work place practices at UHPA & CCG.

I thought we founded this country on the idea that we don't have to bow to any particular church.

PRESS RELEASE: 6-11-14

EEOC Sues United Health Programs of America and Parent Company for Religious Discrimination
Company Coerced Participation in Religious Activities and Fired Employees Who Opposed Them, Federal Agency Charges

NEW YORK - A Syosset, N.Y.-based health network violated federal law when it forced employees to take part in religious activities in the workplace and fired employees who opposed such activities, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit announced today. Such alleged practices violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on religion.

According to the EEOC's suit, United Health Programs of America, Inc., and its parent company, Cost Containment Group, Inc., which provide customer service on behalf of various insurance providers, coerced employees to participate in ongoing religious activities since 2007. These activities included group prayers, candle burning, and discussions of spiritual texts. The religious practices are part of a belief system that the defendants' family member created, called "Onionhead." Employees were told wear Onionhead buttons, pull Onionhead cards to place near their work stations and keep only dim lighting in the workplace. None of these practices was work-related. When employees opposed taking part in these religious activities or did not participate fully, they were terminated.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Civil Action No. 14-cv-3673) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

"While religious or spiritual practices may indeed provide comfort and community to many people, it is critical to be aware that federal law prohibits employers from coercing employees to take part in them," said EEOC senior trial attorney Sunu P. Chandy.

Robert D. Rose, regional attorney of EEOC's New York District Office, added, "Individuals are free to practice religion or not in line with their own personal beliefs. Employers are not permitted to dictate this area of workers' lives. Workplace pressure to conform to the employers' spiritual or religious practices violates federal employment law."

Preserving access to the legal system and preventing harassment through systemic enforcement and targeted outreach are two of six national priorities identified by the EEOC's Strategic Enforcement Plan. The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its website at www.eeoc.gov.

https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/6-11-14.cfm

[bucolic_frolic]

4. I remain perplexed by the mix of religion and science

If you delve into the ownership behind some health care organizations,
it's more than just Catholic and Methodist hospitals

The Rosicrucians have bought some medical facilities, don't know if they
own any hospitals

All the Fundamentalists do is trash science, why do they want to get
into hospital ownership? Is it a fundraising thing? I've seen fundraising
from private non-religious hospitals send solicitations from some of the
affiliated doctors to elderly patients after hospitalization. I thought it
outrageous. I can imagine such from religious institutions.

Plus, hospices can have umbrella religious aspects.

Is illness treated with science and medicine, or religion? Some would
say both.

[Javaman]

6. while they trash science, at the end of the day, money trumps religion. ;) nt

[freebrew]

10. Heh, heh, heh...

you said 'trump'.

[Ligyron]

7. I wonder if their religious practices include making employees working seven days a week?

Maybe twice on Sunday - with double shifts, lol.

[drm604]

8. Onionhead?

[snooper2]

9. Everyone follows Onionhead- He is the spiritual leader we should all know!

Here is an old ancient video of the still living Onionhead

[Aristus]

11. I used to work in a plastic surgery clinic where the chief surgeon made us gather

together at the beginning of the workday for a moment of silence, with closed eyes. He was a weirdo. I went along with it for a few weeks, because I needed the job. Then, one morning, I opened my eyes during the moment of silence, and looked around to see who else was buying this bullshit. The chief surgeon had his eyes open at the time, and saw me. He didn't say anything, but he shot me a cold look. I was fired a few days later with no explanation. But I bet it was because I showed what bullshit the whole thing was.