http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081226/ap_on_re_us/happy_holidays_firing;_ylt=Av9dG14e.xV0MkfhGlwqNGjtiBIF

PENSACOLA, Fla. – 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.

thats bs

ohhhhhhhhhh...for the 50's...

That's pretty stupid.

Wow that's pretty intense but maybe the boss just wanted her gone and thought it was the perfect way to do so

Just another intolerant, always think their religion is the right one, "christian." Serves her right. She has no case.

I think when your on company time you do as they say within the law. personaly I think she is some kind of fanatic. If she were to say Alah is great she would be just as wrong.

I agree, except for maybe the "fanatic" part. When we say things in relation to our beliefs on our own time is our own business. If the company instructed all employees to say the same non-religious statement, it's insubordination.
Think of it as if it was your child and you told him/her not to say a cuss word. he/she does anyway, he/she gets punished. Simple as that.

The Fanatic said "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." when you put your religouse beliefs ahead of the company that pays you and risk your families income your a fanatci at least thats my opinion. She can answer her phone any way she wishes in her home after work

Another reason why recent college graduates are getting our jobs for less pay. Part of a good college education includes learning, understanding, and being able to cope with diversity.

Even Christians who would refuse to HIRE a homosexual still wants their business (money).

I don't guess this women would work out in a Christian workplace either, once she realized she had to be nice to them......

I just don't see what she said as being "fanatical", just, "not too caring whether she kept that job". The company could have let her just say nothing. Do you think they were being fanatical?

She was on their dime. If they have a policy of seasons greetings its their call.

I think it's pretty entertaining to see people's reactions to stuff like this.

This woman has her fifteen minutes of fame and all sorts of sympathy.

I cannot help but wonder if it were say a satanist who greeted each caller with a hearty "Hail Satan"

Would she find supporters in on boards and blogs? Well, okay so maybe a few but...I think you understand my point eh?

to me its just more evidence that religion makes you crazy

Your favorite? Or do you just like to stir the pot?

the pie...not the pot...lol

I'm pretty sure the word holiday is derived from holy day. Christmas is a Holiday/Holy Day isn't it? If her peace of mind was dependent on saying Merry Christmas at work she should have got a job at her church.

It is a shame she was fired for refusing to say Happy Holidays. However, employers mostly have the right to fire people for whatever they want, and the employer should probably win this lawsuit.

I used to work for a place that made us say Happy Holidays. It was a big thing among the employees who felt we should be able to say Merry Christmas. To me it doesn't matter. It just seems like today everything is so letiginous that you have to be careful of what you say to who or you could be sued or fired.

it appears the majority are siding with the woman even after the company says there are other issues involved

where is paul harvey when you need him