Detroit is far from any war zone, but we still have the men and women of our armed forces to thank for keeping us all safe and protecting out interests abroad. That is why a recent employment law story involving alleged employer retaliation may be of interest.
The lawsuit was filed by a 21-year-old Marine Corps sergeant who, in September, received a Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama for saving 36 fellow soldiers during a six-hour siege in Afghanistan.
In March, the sergeant was hired by a British defense contractor called BAE Systems. Sometime after he was hired, the sergeant objected to BAE Systems’ sale of thermal-imaging sniper scopes to the Pakistani military. In an e-mail to a supervisor, the sergeant said he was disappointed that U.S. troops were using “outdated” equipment when fancier and newer equipment was being sold to Pakistani forces.
Shortly thereafter, BAE Systems declared him “mentally unstable” and claimed he had a drinking problem. The sergeant now says BAE Systems made those claims in retaliation for how he voiced his displeasure with the sale of the sniper scopes. The sergeant’s grandmother also told a TV station that she never knew her grandson to be a drinker, so she really doubted that he had a problem with alcohol.
BAE Systems released a statement in which it said it was “incredibly grateful” for the sergeant’s heroism and bravery and that while it disagreed with his claim against the company, it “wished him success in his future endeavors.”
Source: Fox News, “Medal of Honor Marine Suing Contractor Is Not A ‘Drinker,’ Grandmother Says,” Joshua Rhett Miller, Nov. 30, 2011
