A former manager at a Bath & Body Works store in Layton, Utah, claimed she was terminated after refusing to use the preferred pronouns of transgender employees.
Jocelyn Boden filed a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) following her dismissal in May after three and a half years with the company.
Boden, who identifies as a “respectful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” alleged that her colleagues treated her poorly after she declined to refer to a new transgender employee using their chosen pronouns. She noted that while she addressed a biological female colleague by her preferred name, she was uncomfortable applying male pronouns due to her religious convictions.
Boden stated that grievances from team members regarding her religiously-influenced stance prompted HR to intervene. She was reportedly questioned about the use of her own pronouns, reflecting a clash between her beliefs and the company’s policies just two days before she was fired.
According to the complaint, the termination occurred swiftly without prior notice and breached the company’s discipline protocols.
A spokesperson for Bath & Body Works stated that Boden was let go for violating the company’s Code of Conduct, which prohibits harassment based on gender, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
The spokesperson added that Boden acknowledged her refusal to use the correct pronouns, leading to her dismissal shortly thereafter.
First Liberty, a Texas-based legal organization that advocates for religious freedom, filed the discrimination charge on Boden’s behalf.
They argue that Bath & Body Works infringed upon her religious rights protected by Title VII, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on protected characteristics. They also claimed the company retaliated against her for expressing her beliefs and fostered a hostile work environment, violating the Utah Anti-Discrimination Act with her termination.
Boden expressed in her EEOC submission that using the requested pronouns felt dishonest given her beliefs. She noted, “My beliefs do not allow me to lie by affirming a reality I think is false. Therefore, I cannot use male pronouns to refer to women.”
A lawyer from First Liberty mentioned that most workplace discrimination matters must go through the EEOC before being taken to court.
The EEOC has stated it is legally unable to comment on ongoing charges.
Interestingly, Bath & Body Works received a perfect score in 2025 from the Human Rights Campaign for its inclusive work environment and was recognized as a leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
