A lawsuit was filed last month in a California federal district court by Courtney Rogers, a former human resources employee of a multinational food service company, who was fired after she objected to taking part in the company's DEI program, captioned Operation Equity. Rogers sought a religious accommodation because Operation Equity violates her religious and moral beliefs. The program offers special training and mentorship to women and people of color. The complaint (full text) in Rogers v. COMPASS Group USA, Inc., (SD CA, filed 7/24/2023), alleged in part:
59. ROGERS has sincerely held religious beliefs, based on deeply and sincerely held religious, moral, and ethical convictions, that people should not be discriminated against because of their race.
60. ROGERS’s religious beliefs conflicted with the job’s requirements because she was required to work on implementing something COMPASS called “Operation Equity,” an employment program designed to exclude white males from opportunities for training, mentorship and promotion.
Rogers had proposed swapping 2 to 3 hours per week of her duties with another employee, but the company refused to discuss an accommodation. The complaint alleges violations of Title VII and various provisions of California law. She seeks damages and reinstatement. SHRM reports on the lawsuit.
