DAYTON, Ohio, Feb. 20 (UPI) — An Ohio woman is suing her former employer, alleging she was fired for voting for President Barack Obama, court records showed.
The suit, filed by Patricia Kunkle of Kettering, seeks more than $25,000 from Q-Mark Inc., a defense contractor in Dayton, and Roberta Gentile, its owner and president, the Dayton Daily News reported Tuesday.
Kunkle alleges Gentile told employees last year some would lose their jobs if Obama were re-elected and the president’s supporters would be the first to go. Kunkle said her support for Obama arose in conversation the day after the Nov. 6 election and she was fired Nov. 9 for what Gentile said was in the best interest of the company.
Karen Dunlevey, Kunkle’s lawyer, said: “Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, taking it to the extreme of impairing somebody’s career because they disagree with your political choices is just wrong. We’re hoping that the court will recognize that and adopt a public policy exception for her.”
“Ms. Kunkle was laid off for economic reasons — nothing more,” said Gentile’s, attorney, Brian Wildermuth. “(There are) ongoing uncertainties regarding defense spending, and thus the economic environment confronting defense contractors. The allegation that Q-Mark discharged Ms. Kunkle because of her vote is simply false.”
Dunlevey said the case will test conflicts in Ohio employment law, which prohibits employers’ intimidation, retaliation or coercion regarding elections even though it provides for at-will employment –in which either employer or employee can terminate the relationship at any time with or without any advance warning.
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).
You guys getting all upset about people using retard bug me. Retard is a word like it or not hey guess what, retard’s dont mind because its true. Any retard’s gets upset about retard is not retarded very much.
This nurse should be greatful she is free. If Lincoln would of lived, she would be cracking coconuts in the land where Obama was born.
It should not be against law to fire anybody you dont like just like it should be OK to refuse service to anybody for any reason. This is America not Russian.
OK lets give her job back and just let Obama go from his the country will be a better place.
What Dave??????? Did you read it before you posted?
Of course they fired her for her politics. They warned them, and they did it. Illegal? Oh, yes. I hope the fine fits the crime.
Ohio is a at will state. That means they can fire someone for NO reason at all with no explanation. I am not saying it is OK to fire someone for how they vote, just saying they are within the law to fire her. I would really doubt that they would fire her for that. Company’s do not fire good employees without a very good reason. However, if she was not a good employee they have the right to let her go.
If they fine proof that this Gentile schmuck made the alleged statement it will be a slam-dunk for her. She will get a big pay-off, or her job back, or both. Federal Fair Labor trumps state every time.
I thought that in certian cases state laws preceed federal law. Case in point the gun control measures, some states passed a law that if gun confisgation passes and federal agents try to impliment that law they can be arrested.
Usually the more protective of state or federal law prevails in these types of cases, according to what I remember from law class. That is the law which is more favorable to the injured party or defendant, of course. Observer, you here?
I thought I read in the Free Excercise Clause that federal law only goes so far and the states have to do the rest, but I could be wrong. I haven’t been able to find the page I read that on.
within the next 4 years losing their jobs will be the least of their worries.
maybe I have been meaning to ask you…have you built a fortress in your basement? Can my wife and I come share it with you when the “end” comes?
@Happy, funny you should ask. No I don’t have a fortress but I have thought about it. Think about this, far right and far left both living together in a bomb shelter. Who would survive? I have law enforcement skills, military skills, hunting skills, farming skills, what can you bring to the table? If you can cook you got a deal.
Do you also have nunchuku skills, bow hunting skills, and computer hacking skills too?
Bow and computer skills yes gut not nunchuku no but hykuta yes.
Drinking before noon again?
Be careful. Happy guy probably has recycling skills………….
You are so cool… can I get your autograph?
I don’t drink and I don’t do autographs, just getting myself ready for the future.
You may want to start preparing by learning how to read and more importantly how to write (and spell).
Is that all you got? I admit I am not the best speller, so what but if it makes you feel better by putting me down then go right ahead. They have a word for that now days, bully.
The tough guy who cries bully. Now that’s a new one.
@maybe-congratulations-you have been caught by the all knowing proof reader of NIT. The self appointed snob of the hill that just loves to tell grown people what they have spelled wrong. Anonymous is just to stupid to understand that this is a blog, not a English paper.
I am just glad I am not “too” stupid to spell. LVS to the rescue of the lazy (again).
My doctor at the VA in des moines spells every other word wrong but that doesn’t make him stupid. Now being a bully makes you stupid.
How could YOU tell what your doctor is spelling correctly and incorrectly?
Thats typical, stereotyping a doctor. Not all doctors have bad handwriting, and if you are saying that I can’t read then how did I know what you said?
I’ll play like LVS does and answer for happy.
Happy will bring common sense and brains. All you have is an arrogant mouth and good eye.
Looks like happy wins.:)
Only problem with your assesment is that there are 2 types of common sense, one that comes with knowing the truth and 2 with knowing what you are told. Happy acts with common sense on what he is told not what every body else can see with their own 2 eyes. I don’t fault him for what he believes, we all believe different things and even try to convince others that we are right but don’t try to convince me thst you are giving me a dollar when everybody can see it’s a quarter.
@me-what makes you think anyone needs to answer for happy guy. He has no problem telling people exactly what he thinks and generally is decent about it. You don’t know me and certainly have not debated with me unless you are one of those people who sneak around using different names so a to not have a personal responsibility. Happy guy is a man of honor. He say what he believes. I don’t always agree with him but I do respect his opinion.
America has survived conservative scmucks in DC so I’m sure we’ll survive Obama’s 2nd TERM. We’d do even better if the Cons would get their heads back on straight and start cooperating instead of being lieing boneheads.
here’s a quote from Henry Paine I came across today
“To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead” It just doesn’t work. i think that applies here to some
i made a mistake it is from Thomas Paine. Henry Paine was a music teacher I had in high school.
Happy, another thing we agree on. Here’s a parable for you, debating with some people is as frusterating as when a little honda tries to cut you off in your big rig, been there many times.
@happy guy-it is OK. Henry Paine was a great music teacher.
I suspect we have a significant number of wingnuts here who’d sunrise she deserved it.
Yup. Just as we obviously had a majority of special eds here that voted for the diablo. Sheep and retards always follow the wolf.
Sheep follow wolves? Do you ride a short bus to work?
Retards? Nice use of a word. My Downs Syndrome relative would be grateful of your choice….not. Adults who use the word “retard” to insult people are childish minded.
My son is autistic and he is not nearly as much a retard as you. This was the first time I have ever used that word, and last time.