Three former employees with Grace Community Church (GCC) are suing church leaders for what they allege was a wrongful firing. The former maintenance employees say they were let go after complaining about being exposed to asbestos while working at one of the church-owned properties.

According to the Christian Post, submitted a formal complaint on Friday to a California Superior Court in Los Angeles County. The complaint, obtained by the publication, states that the men were converting a nearly two-acre property in Arleta, California, into an elementary school.

The plaintiffs say that back in January, they discovered the flooring at the property appeared to contain asbestos. When they brought the matter to their superiors’ attention, the men said they were assured that testing was performed and the results came back asbestos-free. However, according to the lawsuit, the former employees say their supervisor said he lied and that the site was never tested for asbestos.

While the plaintiffs claim they also brought up their concerns to church leaders, they proceeded to work on the property without protective equipment until another subcontractor alerted them about asbestos on the floor as well.

"In the days that followed, GCC never provided Plaintiffs with results of asbestos testing. GCC took no action to remediate the site," alleges the complaint. "GCC did not close down the site. Instead, the site remained open."

The plaintiffs said they refused to work until the asbestos was abated. Instead of working with the men to rectify the hazard, the lawsuit alleges that church leaders accused them of "spreading falsehoods about asbestos and stirring up drama."

"GCC gave them two weeks to voluntarily resign, threatening their reputations within the Church and the impact that would have on their kids," the complaint reads. "Plaintiffs did not resign, and so after two weeks, GCC fired Plaintiffs in retaliation for bringing to light its concealment of the dangerous asbestos GCC had exposed them to." 

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs accuse the church of retaliation and wrongful termination in violation of public policy. They are also requesting a trial by jury to address their grievances.