MIAMI, May 14 (UPI) -- A Miami medical and chiropractic business is accused of forcing employees to practice Scientology or face possible termination, federal officials say.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleges Dynamic Medical Services forced at least four of its employees to participate in Scientology religious practices and fired two for refusing to participate, ABC News reported Tuesday.
Dynamic Medical Services, in a statement faxed to ABC News, denied it did anything improper or unlawful.
The company said it would vigorously defend itself against the government's "baseless allegations" and expected to be vindicated.
The EEOC complaint, filed May 8, said Dynamic Medical, owned by Dr. Dennis Nobbe, violated federal law by requiring employees named in the suit to spend at least half their work days in courses on "Scientology religious practices ... ."
When employees balked, they were told the course were required for employment, the complaint said. Two employees who refused to participate or didn't "conform to Scientology religious beliefs" were fired.
The Church of Scientology did not respond to requests for comment, ABC News said.
Robert Weisberg, regional attorney for the commission's Miami district office, said in a statement issued by the EEOC that Dynamic Medical's actions were a shameful violation of federal law.
"Employees' freedom from religious coercion at the workplace must be protected," he said.
