I just love the writers at Houston Hair Balls. It’s a great Houston area blog but they all over the lawsuits filed against KBR in Houston. Here is another great article about KBR BS!
KBR: Prostitution & Rape, Allegedly Yes; Headscarves, Allegedly No
By Chris Vogel in Courts
Wednesday, Jul. 15 2009 @ 6:58AM
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It’s hard to know what kind of workplace behavior is acceptable at KBR these days.
On the one hand, if you believe the many lawsuits filed against the nation-builder, it’s not unheard of for the men stationed in Iraq to verbally and sexually abuse their women colleagues, even rape one on occasion. There are alleged incidents of prostitution and human trafficking at a Thai brothel, where KBR managers encourage their workers to visit, and in some cases possibly even own the brothel. There are even instances where KBR workers supposedly exposed military personnel to contaminated food, contaminated water and improperly incinerated human remains. Yes, one man claims he saw a wild dog running around base one day with a man’s arm in its mouth.
So it should have hardly come as a shock to Karen Tounkara when she was fired from her contract gig at one of KBR’s Houston facilities for wearing a headscarf. After all, a company must have its standards.
According to a lawsuit recently filed against KBR in Houston federal court, Tounkara, a Muslim, claims she was discriminated against because of her religion when she was prohibited from wearing her headscarf, or hijab, in observance of her faith while she worked.
Tounkara’s attorney, Darius Porter, tells Hair Balls that his client was contracted through a nursing agency to help prep KBR workers heading to Iraq. When Tounkara showed up to her first day of work in December, she was told she could not wear her headscarf. “Mind you,” says Porter, “this was December and there were other nurses there who had on hats and skull caps because of the cold weather. They weren’t required to do anything.”
Later that night, says Porter, the staffing agency told Tounkara she was not welcome back at KBR because of a KBR policy stating that no employee can wear a head-covering at work. When Tounkara explained that she was a Muslim and asked if an accommodation could be made, says Porter, KBR countered by saying Tounkara could wear her headscarf up until entering the gates of KBR and put it back on once she had left.
“That is not necessarily a reasonable accommodation,” says Porter, “so we filed the petition.”
Hair Balls contacted KBR to ask whether the company has a no-hats-and-scarves policy, but have not yet heard back.
The lawsuit states that Tounkara should be protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on religion. (click HERE for the original article)
Click HERE for a copy of the complaint.
Sounds to me that KBR was discriminating against Ms Tounkara and they are violating their own headgear policy by making people wear in the Middle East. I would think that ANYONE fired for not wearing the dreaded red KBR hat would have a great case against KBR. I would think they can’t have it both ways.
Ms Sparky
I read the complaint and it reminded me of the Trans. Supvr. @ T.Q. who followed me one morning on my way to breakfast, as soon as I stepped off the bus he pulled up and asked me where I thought I was going “wearing those shorts?”.
This person had nothing better to do than waste his/my time over something so that he could show me who was boss.
Likewise, with this poor lady’s situation, the person who told her she couldn’t wear her traditional head dress, should see what it’s like to be told he can’t do something that he takes for granted and is a legal right – like being fired for saying something – anything – - freedom of speech. Too many people with KBR act like they are on the same footing as a little dictator.
I have met some truly wonderful people while I was in Iraq/Kuwait/Dubai, BUT !!! I have met so of the scum of the earth there too!!! Nough Said.
Hope the Lady WINS
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I guess the rules are fluid and flexible depending on who is enforcing them and who they are being enforced on. I hope she wins as well.
Just read the KBR weekly. It said people were happy with KBR and know the policies. Who answered the questionaire must have been mgt. and / or on drugs.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Who are they asking? KBR lifers? Former LOGCAP II Employees? The top 10? KBR employees wouldn’t dare tell KBR anything other than what they want to hear. I would have to say their questionnaire if flawed.
what, no lanyard?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
We don’t know about that yet. She was only there one day. She probably didn’t even have time to get one.
Guess she could have had KBR stitched in the scarf, nope, even that no longer suffices now.
Sad that the claim to be an EEOC employer until you start working and then see that they are an equal opportunity buddy protector company.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It is clearly not equal opportunity for women, or for anyone who has professional integrity.