A woman hired by the University of Nebraska to direct a youth program says in a lawsuit filed Dec. 5 that she was unfairly dismissed from her job.

“Plaintiff is a witch and the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft is her religion,” the suit says.

In February 2007, the woman, identified as Jane Doe, took a job with the university and was satisfactory in her performance, according to her lawsuit.

Then, her employer discovered she was a witch.

“When the defendant learned of plaintiff’s religion, plaintiff was terminated from her position, and was replaced by a non-witch,” the suit says.

It states that Jane Doe filed a complaint with the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission, claiming her civil rights regarding religious freedom were violated. Thus, the suit says, her rights under the Nebraska Fair Employment Practices Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act have been violated as well.

It also states that the NEOC agreed, and found reasonable cause to believe religious discrimination had taken place.

The NEOC does not comment on complaints.

According to the lawsuit, the woman is using a pseudonym to protect her privacy and her family’s and is concerned of potential discrimination from other employers or members of the public if she is forced to file under her real name.

She claims she suffered lost wages and loss of future income, compensatory damages and fringe benefits.

Reach Cory Matteson at 473-7438 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.