Florida Woman Fired For Saying ‘Merry Christmas’

Florida Panama City Tonia Thomas says she was fired because she greeted callers with "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays."

by The Associated Press

Published: Mon, December 29, 2008 - 11:33 am CST Last Updated: Mon, December 29, 2008 - 12:15 pm CST

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - A Christian woman claims she was fired from her job because she greeted callers with "Merry Christmas," but the vacation rental company says it's no Scrooge and the woman is just a disgruntled employee.

Tonia Thomas, 35, said she refused to say "Happy Holidays" and was fired, even after offering to use the company's non-holiday greeting. The Panama City woman filed a federal complaint that accuses the company of religious discrimination. She is seeking compensation for lost wages.

"I hold my core Christian values to a high standard and I absolutely refuse to give in on the basis of values. All I wanted was to be able to say 'Merry Christmas' or to acknowledge no holidays," she said Tuesday. "As a Christian, I don't recognize any other holidays."

Thomas said she is Baptist.

Her former employer, Counts-Oakes Resorts Properties Inc., said she wasn't fired for saying "Merry Christmas," but would not elaborate.

"We are a Christian company and we celebrate Christmas," said Andy Phillips, the company's president. Thomas is "a disgruntled employee," presenting a one-sided version of what happened when she was fired Dec. 10, Phillips said.

Liberty Counsel, an Orlando-based legal group that advocates for people discriminated against because of their religion, is representing Thomas before the federal Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. Their complaint also accuses the company of harassing and taunting Thomas after she was fired by calling the police to watch her pack her belongs and leave.

Thomas could have hard time winning the case, said G. Thomas Harper, a Jacksonville-based labor attorney who writes a newsletter on Florida employment law.

"I wouldn't think an employee has the right to insist (on saying Merry Christmas) unless that really is a tenet of their faith. She would have to make a strong case that was part of her beliefs, if not, it becomes insubordination," he said.

Thomas has found another job, but she makes less than the $10.50 an hour she earned with the rental company. She said the trauma of being fired and the pay cut has made for a tough holiday season for herself, her husband and their 6-year-old son.

Harper said when it comes to holiday greetings, the smartest choice might be ignoring the season.

"The best option is just not to say anything," he said.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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kjunlad Says:

Tue, Dec 30, 2008 at 4:55 pm

What made the Christmas Holiday a holiday to begin with? Christ! I will say “Merry Christmas” no matter what. What ever happen to freedom of speech? That is crazy. If people don’t like to hear the phrase “Merry Christmas” I wonder what they did before now. If the so called “President” had not of left all the illegal immigrants into our country, maybe we could still have the “freedom of speech” English that is. What is next?, No more Happy Easter??? Please! I will continue to say it how I see it. If it weren’t for Christ there would be no Christmas anyway. Get a life people, grow up and find other things to B*tc* about.

Krickkett Says:

Tue, Dec 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm

If this has nothing to do with RELIGION, then no one should get offended now should they?

laha45 Says:

Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Sounds to me they just wanted to let her go anyway. I have not heard any “real person” greetings in a long time..always the automated ones.. Hope every one had a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tide Fan Says:

Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 2:14 pm

This has nothing to do with religion…since when does an employee dictate to their boss how they will do things? She is obviously a non-conformist looking for a quick dollar. The suit will be tossed out before long.

Krickkett Says:

Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 2:06 pm

I work at one of the largest real estate developers along the gulf coast. All of the administrative assistants answer the phone “Merry Christmas”

Our company owners said that they would stand behind us because they are Christians and hold true to their beliefs, no matter who gets offended.
It was such a good feeling having the freedom to say “Merry Christmas” and not have to worry about getting fired.

This lady should come to work for us… we would love to have her….and to all those haters who get offended… can kiss the mistletoe(I cant say where it is)

Tank_Girl20 Says:

Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 1:27 pm

I could understand not saying specific holiday greetings so as not to offend people. Where I work, I won’t say anything unless they say it first. I’m not opposed to any religion or their holidays, but I know there are some people that are offended by the general “Merry Christmas”. I guess they feel like it’s not acknowledging their holidays, which is understandable. I wouldn’t consider that grounds for firing, but if a customer complains, it’s more respectful to atleast take their feelings into consideration. Anyways, that’s how I feel on the topic.