Q: can my employer force us and make it mandatory to get the covid vaccine or be fired
my job made it mandtatory to get the vaccine or lose your job...is that legal? can they do that?
A: Generally, the answer to this question is yes. However, there are two main exceptions: (1) if you have a disability that renders you unable to receive the vaccine; or (2) if you have a religious objection to the vaccine. If you fall under one or both of these, then you are permitted to request an accommodation in the form of an exemption from the mandatory vaccination requirement. However, your employer is not required to grant your request, and it can deny it if it can prove that allowing your request would pose an undue hardship to the business or create a direct threat to the health and safety of others. If you fall under one or more of these exceptions, you should discuss this with your employer and prepare numerous alternative suggestions to receiving the vaccine (e.g. wearing additional personal protective equipment, working in a low-traffic area, setting up physical barriers, etc.).
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