A nurse has filed a lawsuit against Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville, alleging the healthcare facility engaged in discrimination by denying employees religious exemptions from its mandatory vaccination policy.
Alexandra Clark, a behavioral health nurse, claims in court papers the hospital’s refusal to grant her an exemption from its influenza vaccination mandate violates New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws and the state constitution.
The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court of Morris County on Oct. 18, says Saint Clare’s Hospital abruptly stopped accepting religious exemption requests from employees in September, forcing employees to choose between violating their beliefs or facing termination.
Saint Clare’s on Wednesday released a statement saying they place “the utmost importance on staff and patient safety.”
“Vaccine requirements and regulations follow a complex set of federal, state and county guidelines,” the statement said, adding the hospital cannot comment further on an active legal matter.
Under New Jersey law, health care workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies are required to get a seasonal flu vaccination.
Clark, a practicing Catholic, had previously been granted religious exemptions from the hospital’s vaccination policy without issue, according to the suit.
“For years, Saint Clare’s Hospital accommodated my religious beliefs,” Clark stated in her complaint. “Now, they are telling me I have to abandon my faith to keep my job.”
The lawsuit contends that the hospital’s actions violate the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which protects employees from discrimination based on religion, and the New Jersey Constitution, which guarantees the right to worship freely.
Clark is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as injunctive relief to prevent Saint Clare’s from enforcing the policy.
The lawsuit also seeks class-action status on behalf of other employees affected by the hospital’s new policy.
According to the complaint, Saint Clare’s allegedly discriminated against hundreds of current and prospective employees by denying religious exemptions while granting medical exemptions.
Clark’s attorney, John D. Coyle, argued the hospital’s blanket refusal to consider religious exemptions is both unlawful and unnecessary, given Clark’s ability to perform her duties without undue burden in previous years.
The suit comes at a time when many employers are grappling with vaccination policies amid heightened public health concerns.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, along with damages and an injunction requiring the hospital to comply with the state’s anti-discrimination laws.
Note: This post has been updated to include a response to the complaint from Saint Clare’s Health.
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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.