Updated: 3 hours ago Published: 4 hours ago
Q: I can’t believe it. My employer fired me because I wouldn’t get vaccinated.
I suppose you could say they “warned me.” I’d gotten the “You need to show proof of vaccination by September 30th, or we’ll consider that you voluntarily resigned” emails, but I couldn’t believe they’d fire all of us. There’s a lot of us who work here who don’t want to inject this stuff into our bloodstreams. I thought our managers would see reason and cave.
I got a notice Thursday evening stating that unless I submitted proof of vaccination, I would receive my final direct deposit on Friday. Is this legal? Don’t I have employee rights? Can I sue?
Answer:
As a private individual, you have the right to choose whether to get vaccinated. Your employer has the right to require all employees, other than those with legally valid exemptions, be vaccinated.
“These employer mandates are analogous with the employment at will doctrine that Alaska and many other states observe,” notes attorney Charles Krugel. “Valid exemptions relate to medically advised for religion-based reasons for avoiding vaccination. An employer may require medical documentation or proof of a sincerely held believe before granting the exemption.” Further, states Krugel, “Employers need to engage in an interactive discussion with an employee to determine an exemption’s validity. Employers can’t simply make a blanket statement that one medical reason or religious belief is more valid than another without this interactive discussion.”
Employers in many states have fired employees who’ve defied their employer’s vaccination mandates. On Sept. 28, United Airlines, noting that 96 percent of their employees have been vaccinated, announced it would fire 593 unvaccinated employees. Of the remaining 4%, 3% are seeking an exemption, which might result in their being placed on leave without pay. Six employees who are seeking accommodations…