Wisconsin woman forced to get flu shot or be fired, DOJ lawsuit claims

while certified nursing assistant Barnell Williams became advised she had to get the flu vaccine for her activity within the fall of 2016, she refused, mentioning non secular beliefs that her frame was a "Holy Temple."

Her now former employer, Lasata Care center, a nursing home in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, allowed personnel to be exempt from an annual flu shot in the event that they furnished a written be aware from their clergy leader in support of their request. folks that were exempt had to put on a protecting mask whilst interacting with patients in the course of flu season.

on the time, Williams did no longer belong to a particular church or spiritual organization. She informed Lasata that documentation could not be possible beforehand of their Oct. 25, 2016 cut-off date. So, her request was denied and she or he sooner or later agreed to the influenza vaccine.

On Tuesday, the branch of Justice (DOJ) filed a religious discrimination lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages for Williams' "ache and struggling," towards Ozaukee County, which owns the care facility.

"She submitted to the flu shot, no matter her spiritual objections, due to the fact she changed into advised that her refusal might result in her termination," the DOJ explained in a announcement.

after getting the shot, no matter the reality that her "spiritual notion that Bible-based scriptures prohibited" such vaccinations, Williams reportedly became "emotionally distraught."

"Williams suffered severe emotional misery from receiving the flu shot in violation of her religious beliefs, including retreating from paintings and her private life, tormented by sleep problems, anxiety, and worry of 'going to Hell' because she had disobeyed the Bible by using receiving the shot," the lawsuit said.

The fit alleges Lasata's coverage regarding religious exemptions violated name VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal regulation that prohibits employers from discriminating towards personnel primarily based on gender, intercourse or religious beliefs.

"The coverage on its face denied non secular hotels to employees, like Ms. Williams, who do no longer belong to churches with clergy leaders," the DOJ says.

appearing Assistant attorney popular John Gore for the Civil Rights department said employees should not must choose among "working towards their faith and keeping their jobs."

“Employers must take care not to craft rules that disfavor people because of their without a doubt held religious ideals or practices in violation of title VII," Gore said in a web declaration.

Lasata has now eliminated the guideline that employees have to offer evidence from a member of a clergy to keep away from a vaccination.

The Chicago District workplace of the same Employment possibility commission (EEOC) became first to investigate Williams' grievance after which referred it to the DOJ for litigation, consistent with the DOJ.