How To Handle Religious Objections To A Workplace Vaccine Mandate

Employers that require employees to get a Covid-19 vaccine might face a thorny issue of communicating with employees over their religious exemption requests. Such exemptions are legal under Title VII, but a sensitive conversation may be needed to clarify the situation, says Jen Rubin, employment attorney at Mintz.

Employers implementing mandatory Covid-19 vaccination programs must manage, and in some cases accommodate, exemption requests. Legal exemptions from mandatory vaccination include medical exemptions under the Americans with Disabilities Act and exemptions based on sincerely held religious beliefs pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and equivalent state laws for both federal statutes).