Employee alleges religious discrimination
A FORMER employee is suing Black Construction Corporation over religious discrimination after being terminated for not participating in a religion he did not practice.
In a complaint filed in the District Court of Guam by attorney David J. Lujan, it was alleged that former Black Construction employee Rolando T. Canoy, a Roman Catholic, was discriminated against for refusing to take part in or join the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) church. The construction company was served the complaint on Wednesday.
According to court documents, Canoy began employment with the company in March 2008 as a foreman carpenter. Within a month into the job, Canoy was encouraged and requested by his supervisor, Robert Redolozo, to attend a session at Redolozo's church, Iglesia Ni Cristo.
Although only employed for several weeks, Canoy was under the impression from Redolozo that in order to remain in good standing with him and the company, Canoy needed to attend INC, the complaint indicated.
The complaint also stated that while Canoy and his wife attended an INC session, they felt uncomfortable attending because of their Catholic faith, but “felt compelled to do so for [Canoy] to maintain his good standing” with the company and his superiors, and keep his job.
Another request was made by Redolozo for Canoy to attend a session at INC but Canoy declined. The complaint indicated that after failing to attend the session, “Redolozo's demeanor and conduct towards Canoy drastically changed.”
Lose job
Coworkers of Canoy had also informed him that if he did not comply with his supervisor's requests or instructions to attend INC, he might risk losing his job.
Canoy alleges that since he had refused to attend further sessions at INC, Redolozo and other supervisors and employees of Black Construction began a pattern of harassment towards him, resulting in a hostile working environment. Such conditions continued until Sept. 12, 2008 when Canoy was terminated from the company. According to the complaint, Canoy was not given any opportunity to address the allegations being made against him, primarily from Redolozo.
The lawsuit seeks a jury of six people, relief for damages to be proven at trial, and attorney's fees.
