logo
Utah Bath & Body Works manager says she was fired over company's pronoun policy

Utah Bath & Body Works manager says she was fired over company's pronoun policy

New York Post09-07-2025
A former Bath & Body Works store manager in Layton, Utah, said she was fired after refusing to address a transgender employee by their preferred pronouns.
Jocelyn Boden filed a charge of discrimination last week with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after she was terminated in May from the company she had worked at for three and a half years.
Boden, a 'devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,' said in her charge that she was 'chastised and alienated' by co-workers after she was unwilling to address a new transgender employee by their preferred pronouns. Boden said she addressed the biological female co-worker, who identified as male, by their chosen name, but because of her religious convictions, could not address the co-worker by male pronouns.
Advertisement
4 A Bath & Body Works manager in Utah was fired after refusing to use a transgender employee's preferred pronouns
Getty Images
'Ultimately, team members complained about Ms. Boden's religiously motivated decision to the human resources department,' the filing states. 'This complaint led to an interrogation into Ms. Boden's use of pronouns. Ms. Boden indicated her religious objection to Bath & Body Works' pronoun policy, including during a discussion with her district manager just two days before the district manager terminated Ms. Boden's employment.'
Boden was promptly fired after these complaints were filed, without warning and in violation of the company's discipline policy, according to the filing.
4 Boden filed a discrimination charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after she was terminated
Christopher Sadowski
Advertisement
A Bath & Body Works spokesperson told Fox News Digital, 'Bath & Body Works complies with all laws concerning employment practices. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in our management of our associates on the basis of any protected status.'
According to documents in the filing, the company discharged Boden for violating their code of conduct, 'which prohibits any unwanted conduct directed at an individual based on their sex, which includes sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or transgender status.'
'Jocelyn admitted to this behavior and shared with multiple parties that she refused to use correct pronouns. As a result of this investigation, and her admittance, we are making the decision to part ways and end their employment effective immediately,' her alleged termination notice states.
Advertisement
4 According to the filling, the company discharged Boden for violating their code of conduct
Christopher Sadowski
The discrimination charge was filed by Texas-based legal group, First Liberty, a group that fights religious liberty cases.
First Liberty claims Bath & Body Works' conduct violated Boden's religious rights under Title VII, which prohibits employment discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race and sex. It also alleged the company violated the Utah Anti-discrimination Act when it 'retaliated' against Boden for expressing her religious beliefs, failed to grant her a religious accommodation, perpetuated a 'hostile work environment' and 'wrongfully' terminated her employment.
4 The discrimination charge was filed by Texas-based legal group, First Liberty, a group that fights similar religious liberty cases
Getty Images
Advertisement
'I believe that using pronouns out of line with this understanding of gender is dishonest,' Boden said in the filing to the EEOC. 'My convictions do not allow me to lie by affirming a reality I believe is false. Therefore, I cannot refer to a female using male pronouns.'
Most workplace discrimination claims have to be processed through the EEOC before they can be resolved in court, Stephanie Taub, senior counsel for First Liberty, told CBN News.
The EEOC told Fox News Digital it was prohibited by law from commenting on alleged charges filed.
Bath & Body Works LLC received a 100% score on providing an inclusive workplace by the Human Rights Campaign in 2025 and was named a leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Precision Global Corporation Partners with CubeSmart to Manage Four Strategic Storage Facilities Across Texas
Precision Global Corporation Partners with CubeSmart to Manage Four Strategic Storage Facilities Across Texas

Yahoo

time23 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Precision Global Corporation Partners with CubeSmart to Manage Four Strategic Storage Facilities Across Texas

ROCKWALL, Texas, July 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move that underscores its rapid growth and commitment to operational excellence, Precision Global Corporation (PGC) proudly announces its new partnership with CubeSmart, one of the nation's leading self-storage operators, to manage four of its Texas-based storage assets: Brazosport Storage in Clute, TX FM 1777 Storage in Royse City, TX Lakehill Storage in Lakehills, TX Tin Top Storage in Granbury, TX As of Friday, July 25, 2025, CubeSmart officially assumes third-party management of all four properties. This marks a significant milestone in PGC's expansion within the self-storage sector and reflects the company's focus on enhancing value through best-in-class operations and strategic partnerships. "CubeSmart doesn't just manage storage—they redefine it," said Brian Sullivan, President of Precision Global Corporation. "Their leadership in this space is undeniable. By entrusting CubeSmart with these four facilities, we're elevating the customer experience while positioning each asset for sustained success." With more than two decades of experience and a reputation for operational excellence, CubeSmart is the third-largest owner and operator of self-storage facilities in the U.S., managing over 1,300 properties nationwide. Their systems, marketing infrastructure, and service-first culture make them the gold standard for facility owners looking to scale. Under CubeSmart's management, tenants at all four Texas locations can expect elevated service, improved visibility, and enhanced operational performance through CubeSmart's proven model. This partnership aligns with Precision Global's ongoing mission: to scale a national portfolio of self-storage and RV park assets by partnering with elite operators and creating long-term value for both customers and investors. About Precision Global Corporation Precision Global Corporation is a national private equity firm specializing in real estate investment and development. With a focus on high-growth, income-producing assets like self-storage and RV parks, PGC is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, disciplined execution, and strategic partnerships. The company is actively expanding its portfolio in markets with strong demographic and economic fundamentals. For more information, visit About CubeSmart Founded in 2004, CubeSmart is a publicly traded REIT and recognized industry leader in the self-storage sector. Managing over 1,300 facilities nationwide, CubeSmart offers expert third-party management, technology-driven solutions, and a customer-first culture that sets them apart as the go-to partner for facility owners across the U.S. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Precision Global Corporation LLC

The Tea app was intended to help women date safely. Then it got hacked
The Tea app was intended to help women date safely. Then it got hacked

San Francisco Chronicle​

timean hour ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

The Tea app was intended to help women date safely. Then it got hacked

Tea, a provocative dating app designed to let women anonymously ask or warn each other about men they'd encountered, rocketed to the top spot on the U.S. Apple App Store this week. On Friday, the company behind the app confirmed it had been hacked: Thousands of images, including selfies, were leaked online. 'We have engaged third-party cybersecurity experts and are working around the clock to secure our systems,' San Francisco-based Tea Dating Advice Inc. said in a statement. The app and the breach highlight the fraught nature of seeking romance in the age of social media. Here's what to know: Tea was meant to help women date safely Tea founder Sean Cook, a software engineer who previously worked at Salesforce and Shutterfly, says on the app's website that he founded the company in 2022 after witnessing his own mother's 'terrifying'' experiences. Cook said they included unknowingly dating men with criminal records and being 'catfished'' — deceived by men using false identities. Tea markets itself as a safe way for women to anonymously vet men they might meet on dating apps such as Tinder or Bumble — ensuring that the men are who they say they are, not criminals and not already married or in a relationship. It's been compared to the Yelp of dating. In an Apple Store review, one woman wrote that she used a Tea search to investigate a man she'd begun talking to and discovered 'over 20 red flags, including serious allegations like assault and recording women without their consent.'' She said she cut off communication. 'I can't imagine how things could've gone had I not known," she wrote. A surge in social media attention over the past week pushed Tea to the No. 1 spot at the U.S. Apple Store as of July 24, according to Sensor Tower, a research firm. In the seven days from July 17-23, Tea downloads shot up 525% compared to the week before. Tea said in an Instagram post that it had reached 4 million users. Tea has been criticized for invading men's privacy A female columnist for The Times of London newspaper, who signed into the app, on Thursday called Tea a 'man-shaming site'' and complained that 'this is simply vigilante justice, entirely reliant on the scruples of anonymous women. With Tea on the scene, what man would ever dare date a woman again?'' It's unclear what legal recourse an aggrieved man might have if he feels he's been defamed or had his privacy violated on Tea or a similar social media platform. In May, a federal judge in Illinois threw out an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit by a man who'd been criticized by women in the Facebook chat group "Are We Dating the Same Guy,'' Bloomberg Law reported. The breach exposed thousands of selfies and photo IDs In its statement, Tea reported that about 72,000 images were leaked online, including 13,000 images of selfies or photo identification that users submitted during account verification. Another 59,000 images that were publicly viewable in the app from posts, comments and direct messages were also accessed, according to the company's statement. No email addresses or phone numbers were exposed, the company said, and the breach only affects users who signed up before February 2024. 'At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that additional user data was affected. Protecting tea users' privacy and data is our highest priority,' Tea said. .

The Tea app was intended to help women date safely. Then it got hacked.
The Tea app was intended to help women date safely. Then it got hacked.

Chicago Tribune

timean hour ago

  • Chicago Tribune

The Tea app was intended to help women date safely. Then it got hacked.

Tea, a provocative dating app designed to let women anonymously ask or warn each other about men they'd encountered, rocketed to the top spot on the U.S. Apple App Store this week. On Friday, the company behind the app confirmed it had been hacked: Thousands of images, including selfies, were leaked online. 'We have engaged third-party cybersecurity experts and are working around the clock to secure our systems,' San Francisco-based Tea Dating Advice Inc. said in a statement. The app and the breach highlight the fraught nature of seeking romance in the age of social media. Here's what to know: Tea founder Sean Cook, a software engineer who previously worked at Salesforce and Shutterfly, says on the app's website that he founded the company in 2022 after witnessing his own mother's 'terrifying' experiences. Cook said they included unknowingly dating men with criminal records and being 'catfished' — deceived by men using false identities. Tea markets itself as a safe way for women to anonymously vet men they might meet on dating apps such as Tinder or Bumble — ensuring that the men are who they say they are, not criminals and not already married or in a relationship. It's been compared to the Yelp of dating. In an Apple Store review, one woman wrote that she used a Tea search to investigate a man she'd begun talking to and discovered 'over 20 red flags, including serious allegations like assault and recording women without their consent.' She said she cut off communication. 'I can't imagine how things could've gone had I not known,' she wrote. A surge in social media attention over the past week pushed Tea to the No. 1 spot at the U.S. Apple Store as of July 24, according to Sensor Tower, a research firm. In the seven days from July 17-23, Tea downloads shot up 525% compared to the week before. Tea said in an Instagram post that it had reached 4 million users. A female columnist for The Times of London newspaper, who signed into the app, on Thursday called Tea a 'man-shaming site' and complained that 'this is simply vigilante justice, entirely reliant on the scruples of anonymous women. With Tea on the scene, what man would ever dare date a woman again?' It's unclear what legal recourse an aggrieved man might have if he feels he's been defamed or had his privacy violated on Tea or a similar social media platform. In May, a federal judge in Illinois threw out an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit by a man who'd been criticized by women in the Facebook chat group 'Are We Dating the Same Guy,' Bloomberg Law reported. In its statement, Tea reported that about 72,000 images were leaked online, including 13,000 images of selfies or photo identification that users submitted during account verification. Another 59,000 images that were publicly viewable in the app from posts, comments and direct messages were also accessed, according to the company's statement. No email addresses or phone numbers were exposed, the company said, and the breach only affects users who signed up before February 2024. 'At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that additional user data was affected. Protecting tea users' privacy and data is our highest priority,' Tea said. It said users did not need to change their passwords or delete their accounts. 'All data has been secured.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store