Plano, TX- Today, two women represented by Liberty Legal Institute attorneys filed suit against the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) for religious discrimination. The two women, Linda Shifflett and Mickey Shatkin, were fired from their jobs in the Development Department of UTA because they privately prayed after work for an absent co-worker.
“UTA should be ashamed for punishing these two women for simply praying after work on their own time,” said Hiram Sasser, Director of Litigation for Liberty Legal Institute.
Ms. Shifflett, Ms. Shatkin and a male co-worker met after work on a Friday to pray near the cubicle of a fellow employee who was absent from work that day. Five days later, UTA terminated Ms. Shifflett and Ms. Shatkin for praying.
“I prayed with co-workers after work for peace and harmony in the department and got fired,” said Ms. Shatkin.
After being terminated by UTA, Ms. Shifflett and Ms. Shatkin filed an internal appeal with UTA. Their termination for praying was upheld. UTA originally contended the women were fired because their praying after work near the absent co-worker’s cubicle was “harassment” and that the women damaged university property, but UTA officials subsequently admitted under oath that no property was damaged.
“Apparently, at UTA, nothing says ‘Merry Christmas’ like firing two loyal employees for praying for peace and harmony,” said Sasser.