I work at a large hospital in Houston, and recently had my religious exemption denied 4 times, I was suspended for a month which drained all of my PTO and I went unpaid for 3 weeks. At the last minute the "re-reviewed my submission based on new legal guidance" and approved it. I am now back to work, however, I know that I can and should sue them for discrimination and using bully and scare tactics to force me to take an experimental medical procedure against my will. I know they caved because they have no legal grounds to deny my exemption or suspend me.
I have already reached out to HR asking for my PTO and stolen pay to be refunded, and they said that they would not do it, and I responded that they need to refer this issue to their management because I will not stop until they at least refund me that.
Do you all have any information about class action lawsuits with this specific scenario or lawyers that are representing people pro bono for this type of situation?
You could contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/how-file-charge-employment-discrimination Since they reversed the initial denial, it seems they did indeed discriminate against you. Good luck!!
This! I used this (EEOC, or your State's version) with my employer. I believe it's what got my religious exemption approved and the testing mandate removed.
EEOC is tasked with religious discrimination. Truth.
Thomas Renz, Renz-law.com
Represents those refusing jab on any grounds.
You would have to get others from your work to join and pool money. I've know a group of first responders and City Workers (about 50 or so) that needed at least 25k for their attorney in CA to file a suit to start. Since you didn't lose your job, I don't think many would take your case, unfortunately. Two of the attorneys would not take their cases until they officially lost their jobs. One was willing to do it pro-bono if I recall. I hope you can find someone though and get a settlement and leave the place. Now that I recall, some United Pilots won a lawsuit (or got a win of some sort) for United forcing them to take the jab against their religious beliefs. Good luck to you.
How did they respond? Verbally, or letter, or email?
It's probably time to go the route of "Notice of intent to sue".
That doc gets a lot done.
Don't forget to include a $150 fee for the letter.
It’s all been email so far. I checked with the Eeoc stuff and they said I have to set up a session with my employer first and then if nothing happens I can open a case with them. I agree about the notice
And 30 years ago, this was good advice.
In 2022, you're throwing $200 away.
Just go online, find a few "notice of intent to sue" letters, swap relevant info, deliver, save $200.
Quite right. Businesses don't like to have to go to court. They hire lawyers to keep them from going to court. Most lawsuits are settled in arbitration.
Thank you!