There are many reasons one could get fired from a job: relentlessly being late for work, not fulfilling the duties of one's job, lack of integrity, lying about a resume, conducting too much personal business at work, refusing to follow directions and orders, etc. The list goes on and on. Who would have thought that having premarital sex could be grounds for losing a job?
Apparently the Southland Christian School in St. Cloud, Florida believes just that. In 2009 they fired fourth-grade teacher, Jaretta Hamilton, for having premarital sex. She had gone to school officials requesting maternity leave and was asked about her date of conception. She told school officials that it had been three weeks before the marriage to her husband; it was then that the school decided to fire her. They argued that Hamilton broke school policy to "maintain and communicate the values and purpose of Southland Christian School." What is equally alarming is that, according to Hamilton and her husband, the school told colleagues and parents of students that she had been fired for fornicating.
There are so many things wrong with this scenario. First, why is it any of the school's business when Hamilton's date of conception is, and why is that a determinant for whether or not she receives maternity leave? As a matter of fact, it seems that it's a determinant for whether any woman receives maternity leave, which is not right. Second, why should anyone's private business be meddled into? I wonder whether the school would have taken the same stance with a male teacher if he had asked for paternity leave.
I hope Ms. Hamilton wins her suit, because this is absolute nonsense and no school, or workplace, should be warranted to fire someone because of their date of conception or premarital sex.
(Via The Huffington Post)
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