This case challenges the Goleta Water District’s vaccine mandate that forces employees with religious exemptions to take an unpaid leave of absence or pay for bi-weekly COVID-19 tests which can cost up to $800 a month. The Plaintiffs must wear an N95 mask because they are unvaccinated and cannot enter certain buildings while the vaccinated do not have to wear an N95 mask and are not subject to building limitations even though they, too, can still transmit COVID-19. Upon information and belief, the District does not even follow up with the vaccinated to make sure they are boosted and does not ensure contractors are abiding by the vaccine mandate. Plaintiffs raise claims under the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
Press Release
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, November 16, 2022
CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO AT 951-304-7583 or
MEDIA@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
For Immediate Release 11/16/2022, Murrieta, California – Advocates for Faith & Freedom has secured a six-figure settlement award this week for a group of Goleta Water District employees who were subjected to a discriminatory vaccine policy.
On June 1, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Goleta Water District and several government officials after they were provided with religious exemptions against the vaccine and were given one of two unreasonable choices: take an unpaid leave of absence, or pay for bi-weekly COVID-19 tests, which could cost up to $800 a month. Unvaccinated employees were also restricted from entering certain buildings and were required to wear an N95 mask.
“We’re happy to see these Plaintiffs vindicated and receive substantial reimbursement,” commented Robert Tyler, President of Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “This judgment sets a precedent that government officials will be held accountable when they discriminate and retaliate against employees for exercising their religious beliefs.”
The settlement resulted not only in Goleta Water District agreeing to pay each plaintiff $25,000, but also agreeing to enter into a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs.
About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.
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