DETROIT (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Feb. 14 against Memorial Healthcare of Owosso, Michigan, for allegations of violating religious discrimination laws.
According to EEOC, Yvonne Bair was denied a job at Memorial Healthcare because she objected to receiving an influenza shot or spray. Bair allegedly did so because of sincerely held religious beliefs and offered to the company to wear a mask while on the job. The EEOC says Memorial Healthcare has previously had a policy authorizing the use of masks for employees unable to take a vaccine. Memorial Healthcare purportedly denied the request.
Alleged conduct of this nature violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bars employers from discriminating against their employees on the basis of religion. Title VII also mandates that employers allow for reasonable accommodations to allow employees to practice sincerely held religious beliefs.
The EEOC seeks monetary relief for the victim as well as a permanent injunction to ban Memorial Healthcare from committing such alleged discrimination in the future.
EEOC's Indianapolis District Office oversees agency operations in Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and parts of Ohio.