Christian Employee Suspended for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine Eligible for $5K, Labour Board Rules

The federal labour board has awarded $5,000 to Michelle Tati, a passport clerk with Employment and Social Development Canada, who was placed on unpaid leave for nearly four months. Tati was denied a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine policy, with the department stating her religious beliefs did not prevent vaccination. She argued the denial violated her collective agreement and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

• A federal labour board awarded $5,000 to Christian employee Michelle Tati.
• Tati was placed on unpaid leave from Feb. 16, 2022, to June 20, 2022.
• Her employer, Employment and Social Development Canada, denied her request for a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine policy.
• The department stated Tati had not established that her religious beliefs prevented vaccination.
• Tati argued the denial violated her collective agreement and the Canadian Human Rights Act.
• The department contended her objections were based on personal conscience and secular concerns, not religion.