$101,000 for porn in co-worker's Bible

Jury backs woman’s harassment claims
A federal jury in Kansas City jury has decided that placing pornographic pictures in a worker’s Bible, plus other unwelcome actions, constituted harassment meriting a $101,000 award.
A four-day trial produced the award for Cindy Johnston, who worked in Garden City, Mo.
Attorneys for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and private attorney Brad Kavanaugh represented Johnston in her claim against Garden City Plastics Equipment and Supply Co. Inc. and Plastic Packaging Concepts Inc., two interrelated companies.
Johnston’s supervisors engaged in sexual harassment and that her complaints to management were not handled correctly, the jury ruled.
A company attorney said that the facts of the case were “highly disputed".

Comments

[BS Steve]

We can not interfere religeon with work at our workplace Hence they cover their butts on this "No Holy Books" on site simple enough but still ignored and they covered their butts.

[Rhonda]

Steve -

Your comment is slightly uninteligible; I'll assume that is just a result of typos, as you usually are able to make yourself understood.

I think you're saying that "Holy Books" should be banned from the workplace? Are you serious? This case is about harrassment by way of porn. If my supervisor leaves pornographic pictures in any book of mine, or on my desk, or on my chair, or e-mails them to me, it's all the same! It's plain harrassment. Period. End of story.

[BS Steve]

And I am sure this woman never tried to impose her religeon on anyone at all either by bringing her book to the work place that just emaphasises the type of woman you are dealing with here and these guys did somthing to offend her because they were offended hmm possibly huh that is my guess of the big picture here.O well she got a 100k for it though :) so I am sure she is happy.

[BS Steve]

She should of just left her religeous beliefs out of the work place I am pretty certain that is where the harassment started.And yes any "Holy Book"should be left out of the work place along with porn as well.

[Sid Vicious]

Religion has no place in the working environment... well it does point out who the stupid people are that you work with.

[BS Steve]

Yea Sid I have dealt with these religous nut jobs in the past at work as well I have seen this same senario when "people"get sick of listening to their beliefs and they start firing back these guys just went to far obviously.

[Rhonda]

Steve, you're assuming a lot of facts that are not in the story.

[BS Steve]

I seen the word "Bible" and it just gave me a pretty good idea of what happened through previous deals I have seen.

[BS Steve]

Throw a pic of this woman out there I bet we could do a comparison.

[jim]

I think they are saying that by itself, placing pornographic material into a bible is not harrassment.

I would be interested to hear what the "other unwelcome actions" were. It doesn't surprise me to see the Star didn't offer all the facts.

I believe that the Kansas City Star should be charged with aiding and abetting a tyrannical city council. This is a subtler form of harrassment although most widely accepted.

[lr]

Nobody on my floor brings their bible to work. They read it outside of work and that's where it should stay. That is terrible that co-workers put pornography in her bible, but I'm really confused as to why it (the bible) would be brought to work in the first place. I have a couple really religious co-workers but they do not bring their religion into the workplace.

[Patty]

I've got my little statues of Buddha, Quan Yin and HoTei on my desk, since other people at the workplace have Bibles on theirs. So far, no porn.

[OldMan]

Jim,

I think you need to re-read the story. Placing pornographic pictures into this woman's bible does constitute harrassment.

Steve & Sid,

I'm not sure what you mean religion has no place in the work environment. You mean this woman can't read her bible while at lunch or break? I believe you are infringing upon religious freedom. Same crime these supervisor jokers were doing.

There's a gentleman that I work with that prays everyday at 3:15. Yes, he's a Muslim. No one has a problem with it.

I doubt very much that this woman was walking the aisles at work, preaching. Unfortunately, she was working for a couple of religion haters very much like the two of you.

[J Jones]

As long as everyone is respectful of each others beliefs Bibles and any kind of spiritual or relational text should be welcome in one's workplace

[Juls]

$100,000 - probably makes the forgiveness a little easier to do.

[Bible Supporter]

The reason why we have porn in the workplace is more of a reason why we need the bible in there. Society without morals. the only resaon why the bible offends many of you is because it points out the many flaws that you want hidden in your lives.

[BS Steve]

Lol I bet you want seperation of church and state aswell Oldman unless it is for your best interest huh?

Also when did I say I was a religeon hater you dont know what I believe why?Because I do not believe on infringing it on others such as you it is called respect for what you believe in.Bringing a "Bible"into your work is waveing a red flag for harrasment lawsuits is all I am saying.Lunch or not it is the property matter.

Btw:I also disagree with discussing politics in the work place as well so I guess I hate politicians as well.

[BS Steve]

Bible Supporter,

I have nothing to hide but cramming ones religeous base down anothers throat I have a problem with.I believe to keep it sacred and true why pass it around to others that do not want to believe your way.

[J D]

I can't believe it -- I'm going to totally agree with OldMan on this issue. It is absolutely harrassment to place something like that in a persons Bible. It's harrassment just to email them something like it, much less place it in their Bible. People should be allowed to bring whatever religious artifacts they wish to work, so long as they're not interfering with their coworkers. I find it hard to believe a Bible sitting on a desk could reasonably negatively affect the work of someone else.

[Bible Supporter]

Comments like that one only give more support to your need as well as others need for the bible. When speaking of Cramming something down one's throat it sounds as if you are very angry. God is more than happy to help you with that anger problem, and allow you to experience life as it is supposed to be. With love for everyone. Don't get mad, Get God.

[Bible Supporter]

That last comment was to steve.

[jim]

OldMan--

"A federal jury in Kansas City jury has decided that placing pornographic pictures in a worker’s Bible, plus other unwelcome actions, constituted harassment"

OldMan...ok, I re-read it. Did you?

Let me break it down for you....

"A federal jury in Kansas City has decided that placing pornographic pictures in a workers bible, plus other unwelcome actions, constituted harassment ."

This says in and of itself, placing pornographic pictures into workers bible does not constitute harrasment. In the absence of "other unwelcome actions" this would not have been harassment. Old man.....your glasses are fogged up.

Peace out...........

[Bible Supporter]

Sorry steve, I misunderstood your comment.

I dont believe that this woman crammed the bible down anyone's throat, again, with the morality of today's society they just dont want truth, so what do they do, they make fun of her beliefs by putting porn in her bible. Sad!!!

[jim]

I think they should have ruled in the womans favor...although the monetary award would be $1. This would insure safety in the workplace from harassment while simultaneously discouraging large cash settlements as a means to compensate the victim.

[OldMan]

Jeez, Jim, must i give you a punctuation lesson?

"A federal jury in Kansas City has decided that placing pornographic pictures in a workers bible, plus other unwelcome actions, constituted harassment ."

now, take out the part between the commas for the true meaning of the sentence:

A federal jury in Kansas City has decided that placing pornographic pictures in a workers bible constituted harassment.

Therefore not only does the porn in the bible constitute harassment but the other "plus other unwelcome actions" also constitute harassment.

If you want to argue with me, get your grammer correct, first.

Steve...

I don't care about the seperation of church and state. For true seperation to work, we'd need to elect atheists, wouldn't we?

[BS Steve]

Bible Supporter,

Ok in a nut shell if possible lets "say" you bring in a "Bible" obvious Christian belief an Islamist brings a "Qur'an" and a Hinduist brings a "Bhaguad" to work you all work in the same place at the same time everyday BTW.What do you think is gonna happen as time lapses by?I have a pretty good guess myself.

[holy roller]

I applaud the court's decision on this case. Give me a good honest Godly co-worker instead of some porn-head sleaze bag who can't control their own body urges in middle age, dirty old men and nasty women just ain't my style. Of course the Bible ought to be allowed during break time, good to know there are a few Godfearing women out there, I would hire them any old day instead of some junior high school mentality level overpampered plastic-body-part gossip mags such as People, Glamour and all that porn nonsense.

Hey, we all gotta face our Maker some day...I am gonna pray for those women.....

[BS Steve]

OldMan,
Typical you cant get your point to me any other way than to criticise me on puntuation funny just shows your point is still worthless.

BTW: Genius another word for it would be no Bible at work no "porn" pictures put in it it had no business in the work place it just fueled the harrasment.

[Monty]

After the Shysters take 50% for representation and of course a 10% tithe to her church,uh..lets not forget the IRS and maybe an appeal,this could end up costing the Church Lady money.SATAN wins again....Isnt That Special!?!?!?

[barbea]

Since when is the bible a holy book? no one believes that it has any power until issues like this. Anyother time it is a faulse account of history. Lets make up our minds either its a history book or its not. If its just another hisory book then why should she not bring it to work and how is that mixing work with religious I for one believe that the bible does hold power for those who put thier faith in the words, works and the God that it represents. But non-believes cant have it both ways. Its holy or its not

[BS Steve]

Well ok once again lets get in this debate there is more than just the bible as a "Holy Book" your religeon is not everyone elses history or not get it straight.

[OldMan]

here, Steve, let me help you read...

This part of my above comment was directed to you:

Steve...

I don't care about the seperation of church and state. For true seperation to work, we'd need to elect atheists, wouldn't we?

Now, tell me where I was discussing your punctuation? I wasn't.

[Sandra]

It doesn't matter what the porn material was placed in, it was an unwelcome and hostile act, and should be considered harrassment.

[BS Steve]

oldman,

I apoligise after the beating I took before I just scimmed over the "Jim" part lol sorry bout that I need my glasses today.

[OldMan]

Steve,

Apology accepted.

Now, I'd still like to hear your logic on how this woman's bible fueled the harassment?

[BS Steve]

Sandra,

I totally agree but..my point being religeon fueled it in someway it wouldnt of been quite as offensive to some people if it hadnt been put in the "Bible" if it was placed in her "Time" magazine it wouldnt have gotten near the publicity and the negetive arguement that it is getting now.

[barbea]

steve,

i am not saying that my bible is everyone's history. i am saying that people think that its JUST a book until it is placed somewhere that makes people uncomfortible. for heavens sake let not go to any more hotles motels or holiday inns because in every rooms top dresser the have a BIBLE....

[barbea]

steve the reason it was so offensive to this person is because she could feel that it is a sin to look at things of this nature so yes in anyother book if would have been this offensive to her.

[J Jones]

Oldman--

That all comes back to being respectful of each others beliefs. I do not impose my beliefs on others I respect what they believe and therefore they respect what I believe. Putting porn in someone's bible is obviously disrespecting someone's beliefs and that is why she won her case.

I am a Christian and have a scripture memory verse on my desk each week for everyone to see if they so choose. Some that believe in God and have questions approach me with an open heart, and others choose to not pay attention to it. There have been no conflicts whatsoever and I don't think there ever will be because I do not impose on others my beliefs.

Treat others as you would like to be treated. THE GOLDEN RULE.

[BS Steve]

I am not offended by the "Bible" or any other source of religeon myself but keeping an openmind to the way people are now days people are people look at Jehovah's Witnesses for example they have been to my house multiple times trying to pawn of their religeous materials and values and I can turn them away but at my job if someone has a "Bible" or "Qur'an" out in the wide open I dont have a choice on having to deal with it if no rules are enforced to keeping it out.

And some not all people are pushy on their religous values trust me I have seen it at different jobs I have had with out rules in place.

[jim]

Old Man----hit spellcheck first.

OldMan--I want you to read the entire opinion on Findlaw and then come see me. Merely placing pornographic material in one's bible is not harassment. The other factors sealed the case. These other factors proved that these advances were not encouraged.

The material fact that needs to be present in Sexual Harassment cases is the "unwelcome" element. In other words, the placement of pornographic material in one's bible will not stand on it's own. The court would have erred in judgment if they would have based this decision solely on the placement of pornographic material in the bible.

One important reminder: don't believe the Star report unless you first confirm it elsewhere.

[OldMan]

Steve,

Sure ya do...you can walk on by and say nothing.

Wanna get rid of jehovah's Witnesses? Ask them if Cain & Abel were married, to whom where they married? After all, Cain and Abel were Adam & Eve's sons. And the bible doesn't mention any other people...

They usually just walk away & skip your house from then on. I wave at 'em as they walk by my house.

[OldMan]

J Jones...

I'm unsure why you are directing this towards me. Ithought I was arguing for her beliefs and ability to bring her bible to work. Did I mis-state something?

[Rhonda]

Gee, Jim, do you work someplace where women welcome pornographic materials placed around their desk or personal belongings? None of the women at my office carries a bible but they all prefer not to have dirty pictures thrust at them.

The "unwelcome" test is not too hard to meet, particularly after the first time one complains.

[BS Steve]

Look at radical Islamists that want to kill infadels (non-believers)lets say you have one of those types in your work place that snaps and he sees you with a "Bible" at work with him everyday who do you think he gonna go after first not that it would ever happen but in todays society we live in it is just better to keep it personal.

Note: Anyone Islamist here I didnt mean any offence on here that was just hypothetical and I understand not everyone believes like the media "Thrives" on.

[OldMan]

jim,

perhaps, since I can't spell, you'll give me the link to the case in findlaw.

[OldMan]

Steve,

you don't work for the postal service & own a gun, do you?

[openmind]

Jim, if you are so sure that placing pornography in a woman's bible is not enough for harassment, why dont you go ahead and email some pornography to a female co-worker and see what happens. I am sure you will win in court.

Also, I dont see why someone cant bring their bible to work, as long as they dont whip it out and start preaching. I am pretty sure that the courts would rule that a person is allowed to bring religious documents to work with them.

[BS Steve]

naw not the postal service I just used an example you see news just like I do would that seriously surprise you though.

Think "Bout" it.Funny you mentioned the postal service though.

[openmind]

Also, I dont think the Bible is relevant in this case anyway. They could have placed the pornography in her Reader's Digest, or her drawer, or on her keyboard and the ruling would have been the same.