Inland Empire Teacher Gets $350K From District for Wrongful Termination [Inland Empire, CA]
INLAND EMPIRE, CA (May 21, 2024) — An Inland Empire school district has settled a wrongful termination lawsuit with Jessica Tapia, a former physical education teacher who claimed she was fired for not adhering to gender identity policies due to her religious beliefs.
The Jurupa Unified School District agreed to a $360,000 settlement over a year after Tapia’s termination.
Tapia’s ordeal began when she posted videos critical of major department stores’ marketing of LGBTQ clothing to young children. The district reported these videos, leading to her temporary removal from class. She was allowed to return only if she complied with directives she said violated her Christian values.
Tapia claims she was fired for stating how she would theoretically handle a pronoun change request, despite no student making such a request.
The school district’s statement emphasized that the settlement of the Inland Empire wrongful termination case does not indicate any illegal action or discrimination, but was made in the best interest of the students.
Tapia’s lawyer highlighted that Title VII requires employers to accommodate employees’ religious beliefs, suggesting that reasonable accommodation, such as using students’ last names, could have resolved the issue.
If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated or faced workplace discrimination, you may be entitled to file a claim. Contact RTM Law Firm for a free consultation. Our knowledgeable employment attorney in California can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for any injustices suffered. Let us fight for you. Call (855) 7869467.
