On Monday, twenty former employees of Northfield Hospital + Clinics filed a lawsuit against their former employer and members of the hospital board, after they were terminated for violating NH+C’s vaccination mandate.
In August, the city owned health care system announced that full vaccination for both Covid-19 and Influenza would be a condition of employment. At the time, employees were given until October 1st to receive their first Covid shot and October 31st to receive their second. Employees have until the end of November to receive an Influenza vaccination.
The complaint, filed in Federal District Court, sites NH+C for failure to “accommodate or, even to attempt to accommodate, sincerely held religious beliefs or serious health conditions,” and claims violations of state and federal laws for coercing medical treatment under penalty of termination.
According to the complaint, after the mandates were announced, each of the defendants applied for exemptions on either medical or religious grounds, and many of them filed for both. In each case the applications were denied in a manner that led the defendants to believe NH+C was not reviewing those applications in good faith. Each applicant received a numbered form letter, according to the complaint, revealing, in the opinions of the defendants, a lack of intent to seriously consider the beliefs and conditions of the applicants.
The defendants asked for exemptions for medical reasons ranging from migraine headaches to pregnancy. One defendant suffered a brain tumor earlier in life and as a result, according to a report by the Star Tribune, fears that the vaccine will lead her to develop Bell’s Palsy. Another, who completed chemotherapy treatment for cancer in July and developed Covid-19 shortly thereafter, feels that she has a natural immunity and does not require the vaccine.
All but three of the defendants were placed on unpaid administrative leave on October 15th and were terminated on October 31st. The remaining three claim they were forced to resign under duress.
The complaint goes on to say the defendants were denied the compensation they feel was due to them from their accrued paid time off and were denied Minnesota Unemployment Benefits as well.
A statement issued by Northfield Hospitals + Clinics refutes the claims of the defendants.
“Our vaccination policy is consistent with emerging standards in healthcare across the U.S. A multi-disciplinary review panel considered all requests and appeals for religious or medical exemptions. For each request, the panel considered the merit of the request, and the ability to accommodate an exemption. Less than 3% of staff chose not to comply with the vaccination policy and were put on administrative leave, and then let go. Health systems nationally are losing an average of 1%-4% of staff due to vaccination requirements. We stand by our vaccination policy. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing illness and spread of virus. Full vaccination of our staff is the best way to protect our patients, staff, and community. We must do our best to protect the health of everyone that comes through our doors, and vaccination is an essential part of protecting those that trust us with their care.”
The lawsuit asks for compensation for each defendant that would include front pay, back pay, treble damages and statutory penalty, interest, emotional distress and pain and suffering, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and any damages or penalties available at law. Additionally, the lawsuit asks for costs, attorney fees and any other relief permitted by statute.
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Trinity Lutheran Church will honor veterans on Sunday
This Sunday Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Northfield will sponsor an event to honor area military veterans in recognition of Veterans Day at Trinity Lutheran Church from 3-5pm.
Things will begin with a presentation made by an organization that supplies military veterans with service dogs called Believet Canine Service Partners. As combat veterans return home and are forced cope with the physical and psychological ramifications of their experiences, service dogs have been found to be a highly effective aid in the healing process. According to their website, the goal of Believet is to help military men and women return to civilian life with dignity and independence.
The presentation will be followed by a short ceremony recognizing local veterans. Julie Buchwald Haley of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and Dr. Brent A. Klein, the Senior Pastor at Trinity, who himself served as a US Navy Chaplain aboard the USS Vella Gulf and in Okinawa, will both make brief remarks. That will then be followed by a light lunch with brats, hot dogs, chips and desserts.
Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott, who works with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon said that all are welcome to the event. Veterans and active-duty military and their families are encouraged to attend so that the community can thank them for their service.
There is no cost to attend, he said, but donations to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and Believet will be encouraged and appreciated.
Veterans Day is tomorrow.
Rich Larson is the news director at KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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