Christian Employee’s Refusal To Use Pronouns Sparks Termination
A Christian man from Wisconsin, Spencer Wimmer, has filed a religious discrimination complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging that he was fired for refusing to address a transgender coworker by their preferred name and pronouns. Wimmer worked for Generac Power Systems, Inc. for nearly five years before his termination. His complaint, supported by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, claims that Generac violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against him based on his religious beliefs.
Generac has denied Wimmer’s allegations, with a company spokesperson telling The Christian Post that the claims are “frivolous” and that Generac complies with all relevant federal and state employment laws. The spokesperson also noted that the company does not have a formal policy regarding gender pronoun usage and has complied with recent executive orders related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
According to Wimmer, he requested a religious accommodation to avoid using the transgender employee’s preferred pronouns, but his supervisor and human resources rejected this request. He says that he never received complaints from coworkers and had a strong record at the company, including raises and a promotion, until his termination in April 2025, shortly after requesting the accommodation. Wimmer described the experience as deeply upsetting, stating he was forced to choose between his job and his faith.
The complaint explains that Generac’s policies did not mandate how employees should refer to one another. After Wimmer refused to comply, he was disciplined and warned that failure to use preferred names and pronouns could lead to termination. An HR representative reportedly dismissed his religious concerns and compared the use of preferred pronouns to using a simple nickname. After being denied accommodation, Wimmer resigned but later tried to retract his resignation once he learned of his possible legal rights. His attempt was rejected, and he was formally terminated. Wimmer also claims some personal belongings returned to him, including a Bible and a religious mug, were damaged.
Wimmer’s complaint accuses Generac of religious discrimination, citing disciplinary actions, harassment, denial of accommodations, and termination as evidence. He has requested the EEOC to initiate a formal investigation into the company’s treatment of his religious beliefs in the workplace.