A federal jury in Brooklyn has awarded $5.1 million in damages to 10 former employees of a Long Island discount health plan and its parent company, finding the companies violated federal laws by coercing the workers to engage in spiritual practices on the job.

Starting in 2007, employees at United Health Programs of America and its parent company Cost Containment Group, both based in Syosset, were required to "engage in practices pursuant to a belief system called 'Harnessing Happiness' or, more commonly, 'Onionhead,' " according to a complaint the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed against the companies on the employees' behalf in 2014.

The jury found this week that the companies engaged in religious discrimination against the 10 employees and created a hostile work environment for nine of them. It also found that the Cost Containment Group illegally fired one of its employees for voicing her opposition.

Onionhead, a cartoon character that purports to teach children about feelings and conflict resolution, is the centerpiece of a website run by the Harnessing Happiness Foundation. Although the group doesn't refer to itself as a religion, a New York federal judge ruled in 2016 that Onionhead is a religion.

Denali Jordan, who founded the group and was employed as a consultant by upper management at Cost Containment, routinely visited the Syosset office to lead meetings with the staff, according to the complaint.

"Onionhead-related religious practices that defendants require employees to participate in have included, but are not limited to, praying, reading spiritual texts, discussing personal matters with colleagues and management, burning candles and keeping dim lighting in the workplace," the EEOC complaint said. "Other examples of required Onionhead practices have included prayer circles, asking employees to thank God for their employment and saying 'I love you' to management and colleagues."

The Cost Containment Group could not be reached for comment.

Because of caps and limitations on damages that can be awarded under federal law, the companies likely will not have to pay the full $5.1 million.

"While it's important to note this verdict is not final and will be reduced after post-trial motions, we disagree with the finding that any claimant was subjected to a hostile work environment," Amy Traub, a Baker Hostetler attorney representing the defendants, said in a statement. She added that the companies will weigh their options for further litigation once a final judgment is made.

The EEOC, for its part, said it would seek an injunction against the companies to prevent them from engaging in similar practices in the future.

"This case featured a unique type of religious discrimination, in that the employer was pushing its religion on employees," said Charles Coleman Jr., an attorney with the EEOC. "Nonetheless, Title VII prohibits religious discrimination of this sort and makes what happened at CCG unlawful. Employees cannot be forced to participate in religious activities by their employer."

One former employee described the employer in an online posting as "more like a cult-like belief than a business atmosphere."