Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries has ordered a Bend dentist to pay nearly $350,000 to a former dental hygienist.
Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, says Andrew W. Engel broke the law when he told the employee she would need to attend a three-day Scientology-affiliated symposium or risk losing her job.
"It's always a very sensitive thing to raise religious issues in a work place and certainly an employer should never demand that their employees attend religion-based events."
Avakian says the hygienist moved to Texas to find another job. The damages will cover moving expenses, lost wages and health benefits.
The money also compensates the woman for emotional distress.
