NASSAU- A former business administrator at Evangelistic Temple was unlawfully forced into retirement, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Lauriette Lightfoot had worked at the church for over 13 years up to her retirement on February 14, 2018 at age 65.
Lightfoot’s duties included preparing monthly financial statements and the church’s budget. She earned over $50,000 per year.
Her Honour Marilyn Meeres ruled that the church had unilaterally changed Lightfoot’s employment contract without her consent when it introduced a mandatory retirement age for non-pastoral staff.
Lightfoot testified that when she joined the church on January 3, 2005, there was no mention of a retirement policy in her contract.
But that changed on October 15, 2015 when she received a letter advising her of the board’s decision to implement a retirement policy.
Lightfoot was 62. Up to that point, Lightfoot said she had intended to work as long as she remained in good health.
Lightfoot said she never thought the policy was retroactive. She believed it applied only to those hired after it came into effect.
However, Lightfoot said she didn’t question the policy change because new job prospects were low due to her age.
Lightfoot remained on the job until February 14, 2018 when she was retired pursuant to the 2015 policy.
Senior Pastor Vaughn Cash said that Lightfoot had received adequate notice of the retirement policy. He added that Lightfoot raised no objection when informed about it.
However, Her Honour Meeres ruled against the church.
She said, “The Court is of the opinion that there was a unilateral variation of the applicant’s contract of employment without her consent. This is clearly unacceptable even though the applicant made no objection to the same.”
The Court ruled that Lightfoot was “not lawfully retired” and wrongfully dismissed and entitled to $52,905.18 in compensation.
Rawson McDonald represented Lightfoot and Keith Major appeared for Evangelistic Temple.
