If you watched the following scene on a television program, what would be your initial thoughts?

The boss tells the employee to greet customers with “Happy Holidays.”  The employee, a devout Christian, ask for permission to say “Merry Christmas” instead.  The boss tells the employee, ”No.  You have to greet the customers with Happy Holidays.”  The employee says, “I just simply can’t do that.  That just goes against my religious beliefs to secularize Christmas in the time of this season.”  The boss responds with, “You’re Fired!”  The employee then collects his/her belongings as the boss picks up the phone to call the police.  The boss’ final words to the employee are, “Now, we’re going to have a Merry Christmas.  What about you, now that you no longer have a job?”

Would you think something along the lines, “that couldn’t happen in real life.”  Also, would you ask yourself the question:  Can an employer fire an employee for insubordination IF what he or she is asking infringes upon the employee’s religious beliefs?

Guess what?  It just happened to a lady in Panama City, FL!  Isn’t this just flat out wrong?!  Seriously, what (or who) would it have hurt to just allow the employee to wish someone a Merry Christmas?!  I feel this was way too extreme, how about you?