Southwest Airlines to notify crew of religious non-discrimination rules

Southwest Airlines has reached a resolution in a long-standing legal battle involving flight attendant Charlene Carter. Following a jury verdict that found the airline liable for religious discrimination, Southwest was required to reinstate Carter and pay a judgment of approximately $946,102.87.

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr had previously held the airline in contempt for its handling of a court-ordered notice. The court had instructed the airline to inform employees that it ‘may not discriminate’ regarding religious practices. However, Southwest issued a statement asserting that it ‘does not discriminate,’ a phrasing the court viewed as an attempt to contest the jury's findings rather than acknowledging legal prohibitions.

To resolve the contempt finding, Southwest has agreed to send a statement to its flight attendants acknowledging that the airline is not permitted to discriminate based on religion. This agreement concludes a nine-year legal dispute that originated from union politics and social media messages.