Va. AG ‘reviewing’ complaint Inova rejected ‘multiple’ religious vaccine exemption applications

Inova Health Systems, one of the largest hospital systems in Virginia, is violating Virginia law by denying “multiple employee requests” for religious and disability exemptions from the firm’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, state attorney general Jason S. Miyares said in a letter Friday.  His office is reviewing complaints made by Inova employees who were turned down for such exemptions. Inova announced the mandate in July 2021.

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Below is the text of the letter sent to Dr. Jones, president of INOVA health systems.

Dear Dr. Jones;

My office has received information from numerous sources that INOVA Health Systems has denied multiple employee requests for religious and disability exemptions from INOVA’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. These denials appear to be based on an incorrect judgement of the sincerely held religious beliefs of individuals, a breakdown in the interactive process, and an outright failure to accommodate reasonable requests as required by law. Moreover, these denials are resulting in terminations and threatened terminations of critical healthcare professionals in the commonwealth.

The Virginia Human Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of religion and disability, Va. Code § 2.2-3900, et seq.; § 2.2-510. Et seq. Religion, under the Act, “includes any outward expression of religious faith….” Va. Code § 2.2-3901(E).

My Office is authorized by the Act to commence a civil action against any employer engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against any person or group or persons where the violation raises an issue of general public importance. § 2.2-3905(A).

Be advised that these complaints are currently under review by my office.

Sincerely,

Jason S. Miyares