Библиотекарь из Лос-Анджелеса подал в суд на округ, обвинив в увольнении из-за отказа от вакцинации по религиозным соображениям

A longtime library worker is suing Los Angeles County, alleging he was discharged in 2022 in retaliation for not getting a coronavirus vaccination — which he objected to on religious grounds — and for seeking accommodations allowing him a dispensation from getting the shot. Jadon Josiah Knight’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit allegations include discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure to accommodate and engage in the interactive process. Knight seeks unspecified compensatory damages as well as an injunction barring the alleged discriminatory practices in the future. The County Counsel’s Office released a statement regarding the suit filed Aug. 26. “While we are unable to comment on pending litigation, the county adopted a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy which became effective Oct. 1, 2021, to protect the public, its workforce and others in county facilities from the spread of COVID-19. This policy required all county workforce members at the time to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless granted an exemption which were considered on a case-by-case basis and based on state and federal law.” Knight was hired in September 1998 as a library page at the Lake Los Angeles branch. He was promoted the next year to library aide and by 2017 he became a library assistant 3, a capacity in which he served as circulation supervisor at the county’s Lancaster branch. Knight and other employees received a memo from management in September 2021 about exemptions from the county’s mandatory coronavirus vaccination policy that was going to begin. That same month Knight sought a religious exemption because of his Christian religious beliefs, the suit states. Three months later, county management issued Knight a notice of non-compliance with the vaccination order, to which the plaintiff quickly replied that he had sought a dispensation based on his faith, the suit states. Knight re-submitted his exemption bid and through May 2022 engaged in many calls with a work coordinator regarding his request, the suit further states. During the interactions, management representatives suggested that Knight rewrite his religious accommodation request using such words as “my body is my temple” while also citing biblical citations, but he declined because such language did not accurately reflect his religious beliefs, according to the complaint. Knight’s faith-based exemption to the shot was denied in late May 2022 and he did not bow to ultimatums to get vaccinated, the suit states. He contracted the coronavirus the next month and management approved his requested for a continued leave of absence through early July 2022, the suit states. Knight was suspended for a week the next month, which he contends was motivated by his religious beliefs, the suit further states. He was discharged in December 2022 after nearly a quarter century with the county library system and contends his dismissal was “substantially motivated” by his religious convictions and because he sought an exemption to getting the shot. Knight continues to suffer “severe and profound pain and emotional distress” as well as lost wages, benefits and bonuses, the suit contends.