Wrongful Termination Suit Against Google Alleges Cult Drove Him Out

Imagine you're working at a dream job, everything seems to be going great, and you think you're performing well.

But then, things start to seem a little off. Your colleagues and employers are doing stuff that you find weird, and they all live at the same address. They are in a cult, and their leader is your boss. You go to complain about their behavior and shortly after are fired with no reason given.

The Real-Life Situation

Kevin Lloyd, a former Google Developer Studio (GDS) employee, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against his former employer and Advanced Systems Group, the contracting agency that sent him to Google. Lloyd says that GDS has employed, via Advanced Systems Group, at least 12 members of Fellowship of Friends, a religious group that believes most are living in a state of "waking sleep" and that you can "awaken yourself" through fine art and high culture.

By hiring through a third-party agency, Fellowship of Friends can avoid the much more intense hiring process that GDS normally practices.

Lloyd voiced concerns over certain coworkers who happen to be Fellowship members to a manager who told him not to press the issue further, or he'd risk getting fired. Shortly after, according to the lawsuit, he was fired without explanation. When asked about it, GDS Director Peter Lubbers, also a member of Fellowship of Friends, said Lloyd's termination was due to performance issues.

Filing a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

Wrongful termination is any firing that is in violation of employment laws. Some common reasons for wrongful terminations include illegal discrimination or retaliation. Compensation for a wrongful termination lawsuit can also include lost wages, loss of benefits, or emotional distress.

What to Do

If you believe that you are the victim of wrongful termination, there are several steps you should take. It can be difficult to prove wrongful termination, so make sure that you:

• Collect as much evidence as possible. This can include records of emails, performance reviews, conversations with your human resources department, text messages, or any other type of communication.
• Do not accept a settlement if your employer offers you one out of the blue. This settlement may include terms that prohibit you from filing a lawsuit later.
• Consult with an employment attorney to discuss your case. An employment attorney will be able to determine the strength of your case and how to best proceed. This could include filing a lawsuit or filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Related Resources

• Find an Employment Lawyer Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
• Wrongful Termination Checklist (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• Scientology Defense Used in Smallville Cult Case (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)