ACLJ Files EEOC Complaint After Timken’s Retaliatory Firing of Christian Employee and “Ghosting” the ACLJ

The ACLJ has filed a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of our client, John, after The Timken Company fired him in blatant retaliation for exercising his religious freedom. This filing marks a critical escalation in our ongoing effort to hold Timken – a federal contractor – accountable for trampling on the religious liberty rights of its employees.

Reprimanded for His Faith

As we have previously reported, John, an HR Manager at Timken’s Springfield, Missouri, plant, served faithfully and professionally for more than a year. Throughout his tenure, John was open about his Christian faith, occasionally reading his Bible during breaks and wearing a cross necklace as a simple personal expression of belief. These were quiet, sincere acts of faith – never disruptive and never in violation of company policy.

But in August 2025, John’s supervisors began targeting him for these expressions. He was told his cross and Bible made him “not inclusive” and “unapproachable.” He was ordered to hide his cross under his shirt and put his Bible away when not reading it. Supervisors lectured him that being a “good Christian” meant keeping his faith “in his heart” rather than displaying it outwardly. These weren’t stray remarks – they reflected corporate guidance from Timken itself. What the company called “neutrality” was, in truth, outright religious hostility.

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The ACLJ Steps In –  Retaliation Follows

On September 2, the ACLJ sent a formal demand letter to Timken outlining the clear violations of federal law and requesting written assurances that John could freely express his faith without retaliation. Just six days later, Timken’s Employee Relations Manager met with John, offering weak “assurances” that he could keep his Bible and wear his cross – but only if he gauged the “comfort level” of anyone who entered his office.

Then, just three days later, on September 11, Timken fired him. No legitimate reason. No justification. Just retaliation for standing up for his rights and seeking legal counsel.

Second Demand Letter and Corporate “Ghosting”

After Timken’s retaliatory firing, the ACLJ sent a second demand letter demanding immediate corrective action. In response, Timken’s attorney briefly reached out – played nice and pretended to cooperate – but then went silent, refusing to respond to a single email from our legal team for more than a month. This deliberate avoidance only underscores Timken’s bad faith. It’s an insult to both the legal process and the basic principle of accountability that every employer must uphold under the law.

A Clear Violation of Federal Law

Our EEOC complaint makes clear that Timken’s actions constitute violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits both religious discrimination and retaliation against employees who assert their rights. An employee has been discriminated against if he was: (1) engaging in protected activity; (2) received an adverse action; and (3) there is a causal connection between the activity and the adverse action.

The evidence against Timken is overwhelming:

• Protected Activity: John opposed illegal conduct by refusing to hide his faith and by obtaining legal counsel.
• Adverse Action: He was fired within days of our demand letter.
• Causal Connection: The timeline alone – protected action followed by termination within nine days – proves retaliatory intent.

Direct evidence strengthens the case even further. Supervisors explicitly mocked John’s faith, labeled it “unprofessional,” and instructed him to hide it – all while admitting no policy forbid such personal expression.

The ACLJ Is Taking Action – We Need Your Help

The ACLJ is urging the EEOC to find that Timken violated federal law, to hold the company accountable for discrimination and retaliation, and to grant full relief, including compensatory and punitive damages. Timken’s conduct is a warning to every believer: If this kind of open hostility to Christianity is allowed to stand, no faithful employee is safe from discrimination.

We’re standing with John. We’re standing for you. No corporation is above the law, and no American should ever be fired for their faith. Help us defend Christians from attacks. Add your name to the petition: Defeat the Left’s War Against Christians.