Ascension Michigan Sued by Employees Denied Vaccine Exemption

Employees at Ascension health system hospitals in Michigan who were denied religious exemptions from the Covid-19 vaccine and placed on unpaid leave in November 2021, only to be called back the following month, sued their employer in federal court Tuesday.

The proposed class action brought on behalf of over 500 health-care workers alleges violations of state and federal laws prohibiting religious discrimination. The employees asked for compensatory and punitive damages for workers denied an accommodation for their religious views.

Ascension is one of the leading nonprofit and Catholic health systems in the US. It provides health care at over 2,600 ...