PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Phoenix federal agency said Tuesday it led the way to a $15 million settlement against a giant tech company related to not taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said in a news release that the “leading global technology company with locations in 12 U.S. states specializing in electronics and computing products and services” discriminated against employees by denying their COVID-19 vaccine exemption requests.
The discrimination charges were filed with the EEOC’s Phoenix District Office in December 2021.
The federal agency said employees who did not want to take the vaccine because of their religious beliefs or disabilities should have been able to do so.
The company’s alleged actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, officials said.
“There was no pandemic exception to workers’ civil rights and liberties,” EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said. “Title VII and the ADA require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs and qualifying disabilities unless they can demonstrate undue hardship. When employers fail to meet that obligation, the Commission will act. This resolution makes clear that America’s workplaces must remain open to employees of faith and to workers with disabilities.”
As part of the conciliation agreement, the company must pay the group of employees $15 million and review its policies to ensure they comply with Title VII and the ADA. The business also has to provide annual training.
“We are pleased we were able to reach a resolution of this matter. The company’s agreement to review and revise its equal employment opportunity policies and report these changes to the EEOC are important steps in ensuring a workplace free of discrimination,” EEOC Phoenix District Office Director Melinda Caraballo said.
By law, the EEOC is not allowed to name a company if it reaches a voluntary settlement before a lawsuit is filed.
The EEOC Phoenix District Office has jurisdiction over Arizona, Colorado, parts of New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
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