On June 9, 2022, Tyson Foods and its subsidiary, The Hillshire Brands Company, were sued over alleged employment discrimination. The lawsuit is by a former employee, Redina Hayslett, who claims she was terminated after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds.

Why it Matters:

We previously predicted companies should prepare for a litigation trend over

Covid Religious Discrimination ClaimsOn May 17, 2022, the Mayo Clinic was sued by a former employee who believes her religious freedoms were violated by the Clinic’s workplace vaccine policies. Notably, Mayo Clinic accepted the plaintiff’s request for a religious exemption from its vaccine requirement. But the employee, Sherry Ihde, claims Mayo Clinic’s requirement that employees exempt from the

Vaccine MandateThis past week Trinity Health announced it would require its employees and contractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Under a rolling schedule, current employees must comply with the policy by September 21. People hired after September 1 must be vaccinated within 14 days.

Trinity’s announcement follows Henry Ford Health System’s decision announced in June that

Carrot Stick IncentiveOn May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance for employers on whether it is legal for companies to require workers to get coronavirus vaccines.  

Vaccine Requirements

In the EEOC’s guidance, the Agency said it is legal for employers to require workers to get coronavirus vaccines, subject only to the reasonable

Employee Mask RequirementsToday, MIOSHA updated its COVID-19 Workplace Rules under Gov. Whitmer’s MI Vacc to Normal plan.

The changes, which reflect the recent order from MDHHS and guidance from the CDC, include: 

  • Employers may allow fully vaccinated employees not to wear face coverings and social distance provided they have a policy deemed effective to ensure non-vaccinated individuals

Vaccine Mandate IssuesSince March 23, 2020, non-essential employers and employees in Michigan have mostly been restricted from in-person work that is unnecessary to sustain or protect life. That and later stay-at-home orders were in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. That’s about to change. And with this change, employers will need to decide whether employees must be vaccinated

coronavirus business proections

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law bipartisan legislation known as the “COVID-19 Response and Reopening Liability Assurance Act” (COVID Assurance Act).

Why it Matters:

This Act provides protections to Michigan workers relating to the spread of COVID-19 and protecting businesses that implement strict safety measures to keep workers, customers, and their families safe. Further,