500 Fired Health Care Workers Win Historic Multi-Million Dollar Settlement in COVID Mandate 'Wake-up Call'

 

Health care workers who were fired for not getting a COVID shot have won a major victory. The Liberty Counsel has announced a "historic" $10.3 million settlement in the nation's first-of-its-kind classwide lawsuit. 

The class action settlement against NorthShore University HealthSystem is on behalf of more than 500 current and former health care workers who were unlawfully discriminated against and denied religious exemptions from the COVID shot mandate, according to the non-profit religious rights law firm. 

"This settlement should also serve as a strong warning to employers across the nation that they cannot refuse to accommodate those with sincere religious objections to forced vaccination mandates," Mihet said. As part of the settlement agreement, NorthShore will pay $10,337,500 to compensate hundreds of health care employees. 

NorthShore will also change its unlawful "no religious accommodations" policy to make it consistent with the law, and to provide religious accommodations in every position across its numerous facilities. No position in any NorthShore facility will be considered off limits to unvaccinated employees with approved religious exemptions. 

In addition, employees who were terminated because of their religious refusal of the COVID shots will be eligible for rehire if they apply within 90 days of final settlement approval by the court, and they will retain their previous seniority level.

GO READ THE WHOLE THING.