Texas College accused of firing employee because of her religious beliefs

A woman has filed suit against Texas College, alleging she lost her job because she refused to work Saturdays due to her religious beliefs.

Kasha L. Robinson claims she worked as a recruiter for Texas College in Tyler. Before she was hired, however, she informed the school that she could not work on Saturdays due to her religious beliefs as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, according to the complaint filed Sept. 4 in the Tyler Division of the Eastern District Court of Texas. 

"The Seventh-day Sabbath, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, is an important part of the beliefs and practices of Seventh-day churches," the suit states. 

After Texas College hired Robinson, however, it scheduled her to work Saturdays, the complaint says. She refused to work on Saturdays, but offered to trade for Sunday recruiting events, she claims.

On Jan. 31, 2013, Robinson was terminated from her job, the suit states.

"Texas College fired her because of her observance of Sabbath," the complaint says.

In her complaint, Robinson alleges religious discrimination and retaliation against the college.

Because of her job loss, Robinson lost pay and employment benefits, according to the complaint.

She seeks back and front pay, liquidated damages, attorneys' fees, costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

Gregory S. Porter of Porter Law Firm in Tyler will be representing her.

U.S. District Court case number: 6:14-CV-736

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the U.S. District Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it represents only one side of the story.