With the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many challenges, including significant job losses and a high unemployment rate. The national unemployment rate was at its highest since the 1930s in April of 2020, sitting at 4.8% in September 2021. One potential reason for these economic challenges is the firing of employees who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you were fired by an employer due to your vaccination status, you could be eligible for a wrongful termination lawsuit, depending on your circumstances. A skilled member of our legal team could help you understand your rights and legal options.
Current Vaccination Requirements
While official legislation regarding vaccination requirements in schools and workplaces is not currently in place, the Biden administration has plans to publish a rule that federally requires businesses with 100 or more employees to have their employees fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This comes after the recently published vaccine enforcement guidelines for federal contractors, including those working in Kansas.
Under the new mandate, companies will be required to enforce mandatory vaccination requirements for their employees, or they may risk termination. The only exceptions to this will be individual religious or medical exemptions or if a company has a plan in place to have employees regularly tested and wearing masks at work.
Can My Employer Terminate Me Due to My Vaccination Status?
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an employer can require employees to get vaccinated but must accommodate employees who are seeking medical or religious exemptions. If an employer has clear policies regarding vaccination requirements, they have cause to fire an employee for not following these policies. Employees fired on this basis may not be able to claim unemployment benefits, and it is unlikely that laws will pass to protect employees who are not vaccinated by choice. However, if you were terminated and do have a medical or religious exemption, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits and could file a wrongful termination lawsuit with the help of a knowledgeable attorney.
Discuss Wrongful Termination and Vaccination Requirements with a Lawyer
If you have a religious or medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine and believe you were wrongfully terminated at your former place of work, you may be eligible for compensation. An experienced member of our legal team could walk you through your options and help you in seeking compensation and justice. Contact our firm today to learn more.