Melissa Nelson, 32-year-old, was fired from her 10-year post as a dental assistant for being “too attractive” and a “threat” to her bosses marriage. Dr. James Knight, a 53-year-old dentist, admitted that “Nelson was a great worker, but he complained her tight clothing was too much of a distraction,” according to nydailynews.com. So in January of 2010, Nelson was summoned into a meeting with Knight and his pastor to fire her. She was given a one month severance check and was dismissed.
According to Nelson, Dr. Knight started complaining about her work attire being too tight; six months prior to her being fired. “I wore a long-sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirt and I wore scrubs.” Knight apparently, started sending her texts regarding her irregular sex life saying: “...like having a Lamborghini in the garage and never driving it.” She never replied to those texts. According to nydailynews.com, “The married mother claims she was fired in January 2010 after Knight's wife became jealous of the pair’s relationship, which included harmless text messages between them outside of work.”
Melissa Nelson, happily married mother of two, sued Dr. James Knight for discrimination. This case went to the Iowa Supreme Court this past December 2012 and was ruled in favor of Dr. Knight. “Knight’s lawyer, Stuart Cochrane, said the ruling is a home-run for family values.” “While there was really no fault on the part of Mrs. Nelson, it was just as clear the decision to terminate her was not related to the fact that she was a woman,” he told the AP. “The motives behind Dr. Knight terminating Mrs. Nelson were quite clear: He did so to preserve his marriage.”
Nelson was devastated by the ruling and her attorney, Paige Fielder, was appalled. "Although people act for a variety of reasons, it is very common for women to be targeted for discrimination because of their sexual attractiveness or supposed lack of sexual attractiveness. That is discrimination based on sex," Fielder wrote. (abcnews.com)
MY COMMENTARY
1 - Dr. Knight did the right thing to fire Melissa Nelson if she was indeed distracting him and threatening his marriage. The Bible tells us to flee temptation. Jesus said that, “...if a man looks at a woman with lust, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” However, it seems he fled only after his wife found out about the texts. He was pretty much a lecher and giving in to his burning lust by texting her and making inappropriate comments. It was his wife who insisted Nelson be dismissed.
Proverbs 6: 32-34
Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away.
Two Biblical stories come to mind: 1) The Story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. She was eyeing him and taunting him for months. When she finally couldn’t control herself any longer, she threw herself at Joseph and commanded him to lie with her. He fled the scene immediately! Joseph did the right thing. Sometimes in the heat of passion, talking is not an option and running away is the only rational thing to do (Genesis 39); 2) The story of Sarah and her maid Hagar. After Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the power shifted in her Hagar’s favor. Sarah sent her away into the desert with her son Ishmael. She did this to preserve her marriage. (Genesis 21:8-21)
2 - Melissa Nelson and her attorney should’ve sued Dr. Knight for a Hostile Work Environment/Sexual Harassment. Based on some of the conversations and texts in the last six months of her employment, it was evident, but according to Nelson, his texts were “harmless.” I didn’t divulge the details of the conversation, but it was sexual in nature, similar to the texts. Dr. Knight was clearly acting on his lustful impulses, but Nelson ignored them, as many women do in the workplace. This is a big mistake and dangerous. By answering his sexual question and ignoring his sexual text, she was basically communicating to him that it was okay to talk to her like that. Her blind trust made her view him like a father figure. She had been working for him since she was only 22-years-old, while he was 43 at the time. Both Nelson and her attorney lacked wisdom and discernment in my opinion. Otherwise, they would’ve sued for another case entirely.
Matthew 15:14
They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.
If Melissa Nelson viewed Dr. Knight as a father figure for 10 years, then he should’ve been acting like one. Once he crossed the line and started commenting about her tight work clothes and inquiring about her sex life, this should’ve raised a Red Flag immediately! She should’ve shared it with her husband and asked Dr. Knight to stop it. Interestingly, with all the evidence out in the open, Nelson’s husband actually tried to reason with Dr. Knight to give his wife her job back. This is ludicrous! Why would any husband want his wife to continue working within close quarters with a man who is clearly showing lustful behaviors towards her! Her husband also lacked wisdom and discernment, especially if he knew of the texts and conversations from the get go! Dr. Knight had to explain to Nelson’s husband that he “feared he would have an affair with her down the road if he did not fire her." (abcnews.com)
Ephesians 5: 3-5
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
I will speculate that Dr. Knight would’ve approached Melissa Nelson if his wife hadn’t found out about the texts, because his behavior was escalating. I don’t think she would’ve complied, because she didn’t see her boss in that manner. He on the other hand was probably fantasizing and rehearsing all sorts of scenarios in his head, giving in to all sorts of lewd sinful thoughts. There is no way this work situation could’ve been rectified due to the nature of Dr. Knight’s sinful desires. Nelson however, was blind and didn’t see the danger in working with a man seething with lust. The only one who saw the clear and present danger was Mrs. Knight, who put a stop to everything. I imagine she also sought wise counsel with her pastor and got him involved in dismissing Nelson. She was the only one who showed prudence and wisdom.
3 - The Iowa Supreme Court ruling was correct to side with Dr. Knight to fire Melissa Nelson to save his marriage. Who would want to work in that kind of work environment? However, because Melissa Nelson was not at fault, she should’ve been awarded at least 10 months of severance pay for her 10 years of faithful service and a high recommendation for her being a good employee. He should’ve also payed for her legal expenses!
Dr. Knight needs to repent for his lustful sins or they will make this case look like small potatoes. Dr. Knight’s wife should keep him on a short leash since he has already acted out with one employee. Who’s to say he won’t do it again? Especially the fact that he didn’t pay the consequences for his actions in this particular case. I am confident however that God in His Sovereignty will collect in the form of consequences for Dr. Knight’s actions.
1 Peter 2:11-12
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
All Ladies in the workplace need to be vigilant and have wisdom and discernment. It can get hostile in the workplace fairly quickly if they don’t pay close attention and set their boundaries early and often. After this experience, I hope that Melissa Nelson sets her boundaries higher and doesn’t let her guard down with any man in the workplace or otherwise.
Many angry opposers of this ruling say, “It’s a man’s world and they think they can control everything…” I have to correct them. It’s a Sinful World; the devil prowls about looking for his next victim to ensnare. We all must be vigilant and watchful so we don’t get caught by his deceitful traps. They lie wait everywhere.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Proverbs 1:5-7
A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 2:6-8
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.
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