“Onionhead” Religious Discrimination Lawsuit

Below is the complaint filed on June 11, 2014 by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against United Health Programs of America, Inc. and Cost Containment Group, Inc.

The suit alleges, among other things, that defendants forced employees to engage in practices pursuant to a belief system called “Harnessing Happiness” (commonly known as “Onionhead”), including praying, reading spiritual texts, discussing personal matters with colleagues and management, asking employees to thank God for their employment, and saying “I love you” to management and colleagues. (Complaint paragraph 11 sets forth the bulk of the allegations.)

Plaintiffs also allege that defendants failed to accommodate their own religious beliefs and practices and retaliated against them for opposing Onionhead-related activities.

Update [April 2018]: Jury verdict for plaintiffs.

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