By Paula Reed Ward
A Clairton woman who worked as a baker at the Pleasant Hills Panera claims that she was discriminated against and ultimately fired because she is Pagan.
Tammy McCoy said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court that she was hired at the Panera on Clairton Boulevard in October 2019. The lawsuit alleges hostile work environment because of religious beliefs, harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
McCoy practices Neopaganism, which the lawsuit described as “a movement by modern people to revive nature-revering/living, pre-Christian religions or other nature-based spiritual paths, frequently also incorporating contemporary liberal values.”
“The plaintiff did not discuss her religion or her religious beliefs at work and viewed her (as well as other individuals’) faith as strictly a private matter,” the lawsuit said.
However, on May 29, while McCoy was outside taking a break, according to the complaint, assistant general manager Kerri Ann Show said she was Christian and then asked McCoy, “what religion are you?”
McCoy, who was surprised by the question but answered because Show was her supervisor, responded, “I’m Pagan,” the lawsuit said.
“Show made a face and immediately said, ‘You’re going to hell,’ ” the lawsuit said.
The general manager, Lori Dubs, who was standing nearby, “vigorously nodded her head in agreement, her facial expression indicating that she was upset with the plaintiff’s disclosure,” the lawsuit said.