A Long Island business is being sued for allegedly firing its employees because they would not practice "Onionhead," a belief system that reportedly strives to help people lead peaceful lives.
Three plaintiffs claim the company United Health Programs of America and its parent organization forced them to adhere to Onionhead's practices, including saying "I love you" to co-workers and talking about personal issues with supervisors, according to the lawsuit obtained by the New York Daily News.
"Onionhead related religious practices ...have included praying, reading spiritual texts, discussing personal matters with colleagues and management, burning candles, and keeping dim lighting in the workplace," reads the lawsuit brought by Elizabeth Ontaneda, Francine Pennisi and Faith Pabon.
The former employees filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming they were discriminated against because they refused to follow Onionhead code, the Daily News reported. The commission filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Long Island Federal Court on the employees' behalf.
Onionhead, also called "Harnessing Happiness," was established 20 years ago by a mother and daughter to help people live happy and peaceful lives, according to the Harnessing Happiness Foundation's website.
Pennisi was forced to leave her office after she said she was Catholic and expressed opposition to Onionhead, according to the lawsuit. A statue of Buddha appeared in her office after she moved.
The statue was placed there by a person named "Denali," said to be the company's Onionhead leader from the parent organization Coast Containment Group, according to the lawsuit.
Denali denies that Onionhead is a religion and said she was an independent consultant for Cost Containment.
"This (complaint) has been going on for years and it is based on untruths and money," Denali Jordan told the Daily News. "The EEOC just likes going after companies and causing problems. There will be something good that comes from this that helps others."
A lawyer for United Health Programs of America told the newspaper that the lawsuit is "devoid of merit" and they expect it "will be summarily dismissed."
