Memorial Healthcare Sued by EEOC For Religious Discrimination

Hospital Rescinded Job Offer Because of Applicant's Need for Religious Accommodation, Federal Agency Charges

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a recently filed lawsuit that a health care provider in Owosso, Mich., violated federal law when it rescinded a job offer because of the applicant's religion and need for a religious accommodation.

According to the EEOC's suit, Memorial Healthcare revoked its employment offer to Yvonne Bair to work as a medical transcriptionist due to her religious objection to an influenza shot or spray. The company denied the job to Bair, who would eventually be working from home, even though she offered to wear a mask, and the company had a policy authorizing the use of masks for those who could not take a vaccine.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees against discrimination based on religion, and requires employers to provide employees with reasonable accommodations to allow them to practice their sincerely held religious beliefs. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Case No. 2:18-cv-10523) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The EEOC is seeking an injunction to prohibit the company from engaging in this type of discrimination in the future, as well as monetary relief on the behalf of the victim.

The EEOC's Indianapolis District Office oversees Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and parts of Ohio.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.