There is no such thing as a "fire at will" state, there are "at will" employment states, the distinction is subtle I know, but it does matter. While NY is an "at will" employment state, an employer may not unlawfully discriminate against an employee under any circumstances. An employer (in this case the school) may not force its religious beliefs upon its employees, no matter what their religion, to do so can and probably does constitute "unlawful discrimination". Also to the poster who claimed that the employee "chose to work at a school that was known to be highly religious. They don't need to bend over backwards for her." You couldn't BE more wrong if you tried. The school could no doubt tell that Rudd wasn't kosher when she applied, so they should have just hired someone else. However, once they DID hire her, they have to respect her religious rights to freedom. It cuts both ways, should've just bought another damn microwave!

Buying another microwave in this situation wouldn't necessarily have fixed the problem. What if she accidentally used the kosher one on occasion? Next thing the school would have had to do is have a separate kosher and non-kosher kitchen. She would only be allowed to use the non-kosher kitchen...and the can of worms, non-kosher of course, has been opened.

Why not get non-kosher kitchen equipment to accommodate for her needs?!?

Because it might lead to them installing a non-kosher sink or a non-kosher toilet just for her. Not to mention buying gloves for her and everyone else in case they ever have to shake hands.

The lesson is if you want to keep your people spiritually, physically, and ethnically pure, you can't hire goyims.

The school is a vile eyesore, built with scab labor, and it ruined a neighborhood. I hope they get taken for an absolute ride.

hahaha...I've always wondered why they never bothered to make this institution less crappy looking...and ruining a neighborhood is just the begining...now, they are trying to take over more buildings a la' columbia university. smh

That's the last time they hire goyim!

while i understand their concerns, if they had just provided a second microwave for her use, it would have made this situation null. firing someone for complaining is asking for a lawsuit.

She probably has a good shot.

Kosher rules are religious beliefs. As a rule, you may not fire someone because they differ in religious belief.

The yeshiva just made a potentially costly error.

I know where you're coming from. My gf taught Sunday School at a local church & routinely showed up in a cutoff tank shirt & hot pants, sometimes when she got hungry she'd grab a handful of those wafers as a snack.

Couldn't understand why they fired her... I smell a lawsuit.

Isn't NY a Fire At Will state though? They can fire for any reason they want?

yes, but they have to now prove she wasnt fired on grounds of discrimination- theyre f'd. at will doesnt mean wt will if you violate the law.

i smell a lawsuit!

I think the real shocker here is that an "HR Generalist" would file suit after being terminated. Who could have seen that coming?

Let me get this straight. The microwave is OK unless you mix kosher and non kosher foods at the same time. Which says to me as long as I don't try to heat up my Gefilte Fish with my baked clams and mussels at the same time it stays kosherly acceptable to use it for reheating pork sausage and other tasty items.

It is clearly more cost effective to replace the non-Kosher employee than add on the expense/real-estate/power consumption of an additional microwave. It's a recession and a Rabbinical School! The money should go towards the children.

respect my ham and cheese sandwich.

Only if you have it on rye bread.

mmmmmmmm bacon...

Swine luvers !