Odd
US woman 'fired over Christmas greeting'
Published Saturday, Dec 27 2008, 11:23 GMT | By Daniel Kilkelly
A US woman has claimed that she was fired from her job after wishing her customers a "Merry Christmas".
Tonia Thomas, 35, has told The AP that she refused to use the alternative festive greeting "Happy Holidays" because of her Christian beliefs.
Ms. Thomas, from Pensacola, Florida, has now filed a federal complaint against her former employers, alleging that she was the victim of religious discrimination.
"I hold my core Christian values to a high standard and I absolutely refuse to give in on the basis of values," Thomas explained. "All I wanted was to be able to say 'Merry Christmas' or to acknowledge no holidays. As a Christian, I don't recognise any other holidays."
However, Andy Phillips, the president of the vacation rental company where Thomas worked, has accused her of giving an inaccurate version of events.
Describing Thomas as a "disgruntled employee", he insisted: "We are a Christian company and we celebrate Christmas."
Tonia Thomas, 35, has told The AP that she refused to use the alternative festive greeting "Happy Holidays" because of her Christian beliefs.
Ms. Thomas, from Pensacola, Florida, has now filed a federal complaint against her former employers, alleging that she was the victim of religious discrimination.
"I hold my core Christian values to a high standard and I absolutely refuse to give in on the basis of values," Thomas explained. "All I wanted was to be able to say 'Merry Christmas' or to acknowledge no holidays. As a Christian, I don't recognise any other holidays."
However, Andy Phillips, the president of the vacation rental company where Thomas worked, has accused her of giving an inaccurate version of events.
Describing Thomas as a "disgruntled employee", he insisted: "We are a Christian company and we celebrate Christmas."
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