July 20, 2026
Are COVID-19 Vaccinations Still a Workplace Issue?
It seems so. And it’s not just in the health care industry. Charges and claims include in the technology and manufacturing industries, and more. Check out some of the EEOC’s recent headlines.
- July 20th – Company reaches $5 MILLION agreement to settle charges of religious and disability discrimination related to vaccine mandate policy.
- June 17th – Company to pay $358,000 to settle religious discrimination charges over vaccine mandate policy.
- May 18th – Company to pay $4.25 MILLION to settle EEOC discrimination charges over COVID vaccine-related mandate
- March 27th – EEOC sues hospital over vaccine mandate
- March 24th – EEOC reaches $15 MILLION conciliation agreement to settle discrimination claims related to COVID-19 vaccinations
Nor is it just in the private sector. The kicker may have been on May 18th when the U.S. EEOC found another federal agency unlawfully discriminated when it denied three employees’ requests for religious exemption from the Biden-Era mandate for federal workers to be vaccinated. “After careful review, we conclude that testing and masking were a possible alternative reasonable accommodation for Complainants. And we find the Agency has not met its burden to establish by preponderant evidence that testing and masking would have imposed an undue hardship on its operations.”
Lessons Learned / Practical Application? Who know what the next pandemic might be. Now, we are hearing cases of measles and cyclospora outbreaks. Could there be a COVID-20? When it comes to reasonable accommodation for an employee’s disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 proceed with caution. Train your managers to refers employees’ related inquiries to HR. Let HR engage the employee in an interactive dialogue. Assume positive intent. And, when in doubt – or perhaps even when you’re sure about your next steps – use your company’s employment counsel as a sounding board.
