Worker sues company for religious discrimination

An employee brought a lawsuit against his company on allegations of unlawful employment practices.

Daniel M. Elliott, of Bexar County, filed against DFW Communications Inc., of Arlington, on March 4 in the U.S. District Court's Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas, claiming civil rights violation in his 2014 termination.

The plaintiff was hired in July 2011. According to court documents, Elliott requested time off on April 14, 2014, for a religious holiday that he had been permitted to observe in previous years. Documents state that despite having submitted a letter from his church, he was denied the request and told he would be fired if he did not work on that day.

Subsequently, when Elliott took the holiday on the 15th, he was terminated the next day. The plaintiff filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in June and received notice of the right to sue in December. The complaint states that DFW practiced systematic unlawful discrimination on the basis of Elliott’s religion.

Citing lost wages, insurance and benefits, emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience and mental anguish, the plaintiff seeks: compensatory and punitive damages; front and back pay; attorney’s fees; expenses; and costs.

He is represented by William Hommel of Hommel Law Firm in Tyler.

U.S. District Court's Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas, case no. 2:15-cv-00317-JRG-RSP