MGM Staff Member Secures $133,000 Settlement Following Termination for Vaccination Refusal on Religious Basis
Rewritten Article:
In a notable decision, a jury awarded $133,000 to a former MGM Grand Detroit employee, Harry Yeremian, on Thursday. Yeremian had lost his job after refusing a COVID-19 vaccination on religious grounds. The jury's verdict included $100,000 in damages and $33,000 in back pay until March 2022, when Yeremian found employment at the Hollywood Casino in Greektown.
Yeremian, a Catholic, felt that the vaccine contained stem cells from abortions. He applied for an exemption but was dismissed by the company after the deadline for non-union workers to vaccinate. Around 80% of the property's employees were part of the union, and they were exempt from the company's vaccination requirements.
Yeremian filed a lawsuit against his former employer in December 2022. His legal team argued that no company should force an individual to choose between their career and their conscience. The verdict, they said, underscored that religious discrimination has no place in modern society.
It's worth mentioning that federal employment laws, particularly Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, govern laws and regulations regarding religious exemptions for COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States. These laws require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees' sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship on the business.
Factors like the nature of the employee's duties, the impact of the accommodation on coworker responsibilities, and the potential financial impact on the employer are considered when determining whether an accommodation causes an undue hardship. Employees must demonstrate that their objections to vaccination are based on sincerely held religious beliefs, and employers may request documentation or evidence to support these claims.
This case serves as a reminder of the sensitive balance between an individual's religious beliefs and an employer's obligations. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, with ongoing legislative interest in vaccine mandates and exemptions, it's crucial for both employers and employees to stay informed and navigate these issues with compassion and understanding.
In contrast to his former employment at the MGM Grand Detroit, Yeremian now works at the gambling establishments of Las Vegas, a city known for its casino-culture. He spends his days engaging in various casino-games, a new fascination he discovered following his dispute over the COVID-19 vaccination at his previous place of work. The casino-and-gambling industry, with its diverse assortment of games, provides an atmosphere that respects individual freedom, much like the religious beliefs Yeremian upheld in his legal battle.
