The nurse, who was fired in 2021, was already on a faith-based exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the lawsuit.
MATTHEWS, N.C. — In a recent lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Kristine Matthies, a registered nurse, has accused Novant Health Matthews Medical Center of religious discrimination. The complaint, filed on Friday, alleges that Novant Health failed to accommodate Matthies’ religious beliefs, resulting in her suspension and eventual termination.
Matthies, who began working at Novant Health in October 2016, claims in the lawsuit her Christian faith prevents her from receiving the flu vaccine. She requested a religious exemption from the hospital’s mandatory flu vaccination policy in September 2021, citing her beliefs introducing unnatural substances would be a sin, according to the lawsuit. The said claims Matthies’ request was denied.
Matthies, who resides in Union County, North Carolina, was on approved Family Medical Leave Act leave when her request was denied, according to the lawsuit. The suit claims Matthies inability to access her work email because of the FMLA leave caused communication hardships with her employer.
Despite her appeals, Novant Health maintained its decision, according to the lawsuit. Matthies argues her request was reasonable and would not have posed an undue hardship on the hospital, especially since she was already required to wear an N95 respirator due to a previously approved COVID-19 vaccine exemption.
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Matthies contends her termination on November 8, 2021, was a result of religious discrimination, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and North Carolina public policy.
At the time of her termination, Matthies worked in the operating room and emergency room in a patient-facing role, according to the lawsuit.
Matthies is seeking reinstatement, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.Â
The lawsuit underscores the ongoing debate over vaccine mandates and religious accommodations in the workplace.
Novant Health did not return WCNC Charlotte’s request for comment.Â
