Southwest Airlines religious discrimination litigation

A nine-year legal dispute between Southwest Airlines and flight attendant Charlene Carter regarding religious discrimination has reached a resolution. The conflict began in 2017 after the airline terminated Carter for sharing graphic social media posts, which the company characterized as workplace bullying and a violation of policy, while Carter argued the posts were protected expressions of her religious beliefs.

Following a 2022 jury verdict, Carter was awarded approximately $946,102 and reinstated with full seniority. Recent legal developments include a permanent injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr, which bars the airline from using Carter’s future religious social media posts as grounds for discipline. The injunction also prevents the Transport Workers Union Local 556 from urging the airline to discipline her for such posts.

To resolve a contempt finding by the court, Southwest Airlines agreed to notify its flight attendants that the company ‘may not discriminate’ regarding religious practices. This follows a previous dispute where the airline’s use of the phrase ‘does not discriminate’ was viewed by the court as an attempt to contest the jury’s findings rather than acknowledging legal prohibitions.