At the peak of the pandemic in 2021, casinos scrambled to vaccinate their employees, often using retaliatory practices against unwilling team members – this has come to haunt them
The legal battle of a man who sued MGM Grand Detroit for firing him over his refusal to take a COVID-19 jab has finally reached a just conclusion, with the plaintiff awarded $133,000 by a federal jury that sided with him against his former boss.
The man cited his belief as the reason for refusal, and he was possibly the only person terminated because of his decision.
MGM Grand Detroit Ordered to Pay Employee It Fired
The MGM Grand Detroit casino was determined to have everyone vaccinated back in 2021, as part of its vaccine mandate, and at the time found it appropriate to prioritize working with team members who had received a COVID-19 vaccination.
However, the jury disagreed that the casino had acted within its remit in firing Harry Yeremian, 56, from Canton. Yeremian, who is Catholic insisted in his lawsuit that his objection was based on religious belief. The casino was aware of Yeremian’s religious belief but decided against it in the end, letting him go.
The casino motivated the firing of the employee by arguing that because Yeremian was not vaccinated, his presence on the gaming floor was a serious risk to the health of those around him.
“We have concluded that your continued presence on the property, unvaccinated, risks the health and safety of guests, coworkers and yourself. The risks and burdens your request for accommodation would impose on the company are significant and cannot be resolved through mitigation measures,” a statement to the employee.
However, MGM Grand could not vaccinate all of its employees either, as those unionized were protected under the National Labor Relations Act, leaving around 20% of its workforce unvaccinated. Yet, possibly only Yeremian was removed from the job, which prompted him to sue the casino in 2022.
Small But Satisfying Win for Yeremian
The money awarded to Yeremian in the case has to do with both his missed backpay of $33,000 and an additional $100,000 awarded to the man in damages. Yet, even this seems to be a bit of an understatement because as an employee at the casino, he was earning $120,000 in annual salary.
“Mr. Yeremian refused to renounce his faith and beliefs and was wrongfully terminated from his job. The jury’s verdict today tells MGM that religious discrimination has no place in America and affirms each person’s right to religious freedom,” a statement for Yeremian by his lawyers read.
The COVID-19 vaccine mandate caused rifts between employees and companies in the hospitality and gaming sector, and MGM Grand Detroit v. Yeremian is hardly the only such case.
