Religious exemptions for Covid shots pose thorny issue for employers
Even before the Biden administration unveiled plans for a vaccine mandate or required weekly testing for large employers, businesses and nonprofits were already grappling with how to handle requests from employees looking to opt out from vaccination mandates due to religious beliefs.
With a federal mandate on the way, experts say even more religious exemptions – and the thorny and legally fraught questions they raise – are on the horizon. Some attorneys say they also expect individuals to request exemptions from the weekly testing option for unvaccinated workers.
“It used to be that employers took a very hands-off approach, and if the employee said, ‘I have this religious belief,' the employer, generally speaking, wouldn’t delve into it further,” said Román Hernández. partner and litigator at the Portland, Oregon-based law firm Troutman Pepper.
Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, “It’s a different, uncharted territory than in the past,” Hernandez said.
At this point, the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration haven't unveiled specific guidance for addressing religious exemptions in the mandate – although employment attorneys have told The Business Journals they expect it to be similar to past guidance. That is one of many unanswered questions about the mandate, including who will pay for the required weekly testing for unvaccinated workers.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/09/16/vaccine-religious-exemptions.html
No you don't get to opt out of both. Fuck that shit.
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