What laws exist to protect employees and adults from vaccine mandates?

As noted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administriation (OSHA), employers must assure that employees declining to be vaccinated against hepatitis B must sign a declination form. Hepatitis B vaccation is generally required for healthcare workers. To file a complaint relating to hepatitis B vaccine, contact OSHA at 800-321-6742. Learn more about this policy by visiting OSHA's FactSheet.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“the Act”) offers legal protection to employees when their religious beliefs prevent them from receiving vaccines. Title VII of the Act prohibits public and private sector employers with 15 or more employees from refusing to hire, fire or otherwise use discriminatory practices against current and prospective employees on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or religion. 

Should discrimination in the workplace occur, Title VII provides for compensation and punitive damages. At a state level, rules and policies mandating vaccines in the workplace without offering exemptions or accommodations have been successfully challenged by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.  Health care workers who have been denied religious exemptions have received punitive damages and back wages.   

While Title VII protects religious beliefs, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), states that religion is defined broadly and includes “theistic beliefs as well as non-theistic “moral or ethical beliefs as to what is right and wrong which are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views.” Religious beliefs can be personal and do not require affirmation by an organized major religion or church.  The key factor is that a belief is sincerely held with the strength generally associated with religion and that the beliefs are related to concern about “ultimate ideas”, “life, purpose and death”.

EEOC guidance additionally states:

“Religious beliefs include theistic beliefs (i.e. those that include a belief in God) as well as non-theistic “moral or ethical beliefs as to what is right and wrong which are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views.” Although courts generally resolve doubts about particular beliefs in favor of finding that they are religious, beliefs are not protected merely because they are strongly held. Rather, religion typically concerns “ultimate ideas” about “life, purpose, and death.” Social, political, or economic philosophies, as well as mere personal preferences, are not “religious” beliefs protected by Title VII.

Title VII protects all aspects of religious observance and practice as well as belief and defines religion very broadly for purposes of determining what the law covers. For purposes of Title VII, religion includes not only traditional, organized religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, but also religious beliefs that are new, uncommon, not part of a formal church or sect, only subscribed to by a small number of people, or that seem illogical or unreasonable to others. An employee’s belief or practice can be “religious” under Title VII even if the employee is affiliated with a religious group that does not espouse or recognize that individual’s belief or practice, or if few – or no – other people adhere to it. Title VII’s protections also extend to those who are discriminated against or need accommodation because they profess no religious beliefs.” 

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) restricts what an  employer may ask job applicants regarding medical questions, taking a medical exam, or identifying that one has a disability.

For example, an employer may not ask a job applicant, if if the applicant has a disability, even if obvious. However, an employer is allowed to ask applicants whether they can perform the job and how they would perform the job. To learn more about restrictions on employer questions during the hiring process and guidance relating to ADA, visit the EEOC's website.

With regard to the rights of job applicants who have religious beliefs that prevent them from using vaccines mandated by a prospective employer, the EEOC states that job applicants have the same right to request a religious accomodation as an employee. The accomodation is based on how religion is defined in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is enforced by the EEOC. This section of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination relating to employment based on religious beliefs. The EEOC provides more information in Section 12: Religious Discrimination; EEOC Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion. Also see next item - Requesting Religious Accommodation to Exempt from Vaccines.

Prior to requesting a religious accommodation (exemption) to vaccination, employees may benefit from legal advice by an attorney specializing in Civil Rights and employment law who may be able to clarify what questions an employer may and may not ask an employee, what accommodations are reasonable, and to review whether an employee’s statement of belief meets the criteria defined in Title VII. 

Obtaining a religious accommodation in the workplace begins with the employee. Employees must notify  their employer that the mandatory vaccination policy conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs and request a religious accommodation.

Once an employer has received notification and the request for accommodation, the EEOC advises employers to assume the belief is sincerely held and to enter into good faith discussions with the employee and to offer reasonable accommodations. Employers may also ask questions to determine the sincerity of the belief. 

Legally, a reasonable accommodation is one that does not place undue hardship on the employer. For example, healthcare workers wearing a mask during the flu season is deemed a reasonable accommodation to not receiving an annual flu shot.
 

The EEOC enforces Title VII of the Act and investigates charges of unlawful employment discrimination. There are strict time limits for submitting claims of religious discrimination to the EEOC and employees must file religious discrimination complaints within 180 days of the incident, unless state law extends the time limit. Federal employees have 45 days to contact an EEO Counselor.

The EEOC requires documentation that the employer was informed of the employee’s religious belief preventing vaccination and that a request was made for a religious accommodation, and that the employer took disciplinary action or otherwise sanctioned the employee for refusing vaccination.

 

When an employer is found to have unlawfully discriminated against an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, courts have ordered employers to stop unlawful employment practices, to reinstate wrongfully terminated employees, and to award payment of back wages, damages, and/or other equitable relief.

Court decisions relating to religious accommodations and employer vaccine mandates have been mixed. The majority of vaccine related decisions have been based on annual flu shot mandates for healthcare workers. However, EEOC complaints against employers are likely to increase as employers and employees are pressured by government to comply with federal vaccine policy recommendations. 

To be eligible for compensation and damages under a Title VII action, a charge must be filed within 180 calendar days from the day the discrimination took place. To learn more about filing a charge, visit the EEOC’s website and NVIC’s page, 1964 Civil Rights Act Protects Some Healthcare Workers with Religious Objections to Employer Flu Shot Mandates.

 

According to the current guidance provided by the EEOC, COVID-19 will not change how the EEOC has previously applied "undue hardship" when challenging employer influenza vaccine mandates and religious accommodation for those whose religious beliefs prevent them from receiving the influenza vaccination. The EEOC appears positioned to continue to defend employees against religious discrimination in relation to influenza vaccine mandates in the workplace.  Guidance issued by the EEOC on December 16, 2020 also states:

“Once an employer is on notice that an employee’s sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance prevents the employee from receiving the vaccination, the employer must provide a reasonable accommodation for the religious belief, practice, or observance unless it would pose an undue hardship under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.  Courts have defined “undue hardship” under Title VII as having more than a de minimis cost or burden on the employer. EEOC guidance explains that because the definition of religion is broad and protects beliefs, practices, and observances with which the employer may be unfamiliar, the employer should ordinarily assume that an employee’s request for religious accommodation is based on a sincerely held religious belief.  If, however, an employee requests a religious accommodation, and an employer has an objective basis for questioning either the religious nature or the sincerity of a particular belief, practice, or observance, the employer would be justified in requesting additional supporting information.”

“If an employee cannot get vaccinated for COVID-19 because of a disability or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance, and there is no reasonable accommodation possible, then it would be lawful for the employer to exclude the employee from the workplace.  This does not mean the employer may automatically terminate the worker.  Employers will need to determine if any other rights apply under the EEO laws or other federal, state, and local authorities.”

For information on the consequences of vaccine refusal by the disabled and/or their guardians, those receiving Medicaid, Medicare or other agency benefits, and in settings such as assisted living and long-term care and skilled nursing facilities it is advisable to consult with professionals experienced with this type of law. Below are some resources to consider:

• Elder and Special Needs Law Attorneys: Attorneys that have expertise in addressing legal issues such has estate planning, long-term care, and coverage by Medicare and Medicaid as it relates to seniors and the disabled. Attorneys with this specialty may also be able to advise on the consequences of refusing an EUA or licensed vaccine. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the National Elder Law Foundation are national organizations that can provide basic information on this area of law and provide state level information on locating an elder law attorney;.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Every state has a long-term care ombudsman who assists residents living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other similar care facilities. These individuals help residents work through issues and understand their rights. The Administration for Community Living provides basic information about this type of ombudsman and your rights in these settings. You may also find the ombudsman in your state by visiting The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care website.

Legal Resources - Employee Vaccine Mandates

NVIC does not provide legal advice or endorse any legal firm or organization. We encourage the public to obtain legal advice to further understand and protect their rights and to be informed of any course of action available that may be taken to remedy any violation of these rights. Prior to requesting a religious accommodation under Title VII, employees may benefit from legal advice by an attorney specializing in Civil Rights and employment law who may be able to clarify what questions an employer may and may not ask an employee, what accommodations are reasonable, and to review whether an employee’s statement of belief meets the criteria defined in Title VII.  

NVIC discourages the use of form letters and templates for statements of religious beliefs, as they can have the effect of undermining the sincerity of one's personal and sincerely held religious beliefs with your employer. However, seeking legal advice on whether your statement of beliefs meets Title VII criteria may be of benefit.  

Below are legal resources relating to vaccine mandates and exemptions in the workplace that may be helpful when considering legal options to workplace vaccine mandates. NVIC does not endorse any legal firm or organization and provides the below list for informational purposes only. There are many law firms accepting COVID-19 vaccine mandate cases. The list below is a partial list and additional legal resources can easily be found by searching the internet with keywords like COVID-19 mandate lawsuits, civil rights attorneys, Title VII attorneys. It is also advisable to ask many questions of any prospective attorney regarding their expertise in vaccine mandate lawsuits, Title VII lawsuits, as well as the success of any vaccine related lawsuit the attorney has filed, costs associated with filing a lawsuit that you may expect to pay, and how long a lawsuit may take to conclude.

• Findlaw provides a searchable directory of attorneys by location and legal experience;
• Clever Journeys provides a list of attorneys be state reported to challenge COVID-19 vaccine mandates;
• Liberty Counsel provides pro bono legal assistance with vaccine exemptions;
• Pacific Justice Institute works pro bono to defend religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties;
• First Liberty works to defend religious liberty;
• Advocates for Faith and Freedom works to defend living one's faith;
• Alliance Defending Freedom works to protect religious freedom, free speech and parental rights;  
• Thomas More Society works pro bono and has represented employees challenging employer vaccine mandates;

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, defends religious beliefs in the workplace. Visit the EEOC's Filing A Charge of Discrimination webpage to file a charge of discrimination or to submit your questions to the EEOC about possible workplace discrimination and your options. The public may also call the EEOC at 1-800-669-4000 for more information and to get answers to their questions, and can also visit the EEOC's website to obtain information on contacting the nearest field EEOC office.  

It may be of benefit to employees to consult with a private attorney, as outlined above, prior to filing an EEOC complaint against an employer or contacting the EEOC.