Audio By Carbonatix
A devout Christian factory worker was fired after he refused to wear a 666 sticker he feared would doom him to eternal damnation, a lawsuit has claimed.
Billy E. Hyatt says he was fired from Pliant Corp, a plastics factory in northern Georgia, near Dalton, after he refused to wear a sticker proclaiming that his factory had been accident-free for 666 days.
That number is considered the 'mark of the beast' in the Bible's Book of Revelation describing the apocalypse.
Hyatt, who said he's a devout Christian, had worked for the north Georgia plastics company since June 2007 and like other employees wore stickers each day that proclaimed how long the factory had gone without an accident.
But he grew nervous in early 2009, as the number of accident-free days crept into the 600s.
As the company's safety calendar approached day 666, Hyatt said he approached a manager and explained that wearing it would force him 'to accept the mark of the beast and to be condemned to hell.' He said the manager assured him he wouldn't have to wear the number.
When the day came on March 12, 2009, Hyatt sought a manager to discuss his request.
He said he was told that his beliefs were 'ridiculous' and that he should wear the sticker or serve a three-day suspension.
Hyatt took the three-day suspension, and was fired at a human resources meeting several days later.
He then filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and his attorney Stephen Mixon said the agency granted him the right to sue the company in August.
The lawsuit, which seeks punitive damages and back pay, said the company forced him into a terrible situation: Keep his job or "abandon his religious beliefs."
The company, now known as Berry Plastics Corp., did not return several calls and emails seeking comment. It has yet to respond to the complaint in court.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
JoyNews’ Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen honoured with AfMS continental award
11 minutes -
GMet warns of rainstorm, strong winds across parts of Ghana
20 minutes -
Mikki Osei Berko installed as chief in Adamorobe
39 minutes -
When the Stranger Becomes the Problem: A South African Parable
46 minutes -
Mali’s Defence Minister Sadio Camara killed in coordinated attacks on military sites
51 minutes -
Livestream: The Law discusses the legality of Ghana’s cocoa framework
53 minutes -
“My career had its major kick off from Ghana” – Klint Da Drunk
1 hour -
Zambian journalist Lilian Chipeso calls for stronger African unity and intra-continental trade
1 hour -
When the Stranger Becomes the Problem: A South African Parable
1 hour -
Opportunities are endless — Goshers highlights Zambia’s agricultural potential and Ghana trade links
1 hour -
Africa should be borderless — Zambia journalist Lillian Chipeso urges stronger intra-African unity and trade
1 hour -
“I have forgiven her”- Pentecost chair replies Chief of Staff after apology on behalf of Free Zones CEO
2 hours -
Young people don’t take networking seriously —Founder, Abrantie TheGentleman menswear
2 hours -
Two killed as 50-seater bus overturns in Nkonya Bumbula crash
2 hours -
Photos: Mahama joins PIWC Trassaco congregation for thanksgiving service honouring Julius Debrah at 60
2 hours