Federal Lawsuit Says Manufacturer Failed to Allow Any Exceptions to Vaccination Policy

TULSA, Okla. – AG Equipment Company, a Broken Arrow, Oklahoma compressor packaging manufacturer, violated federal law when it fired 10 employees for failing to receive a COVID-19 vaccination because of their religious beliefs or medical restrictions, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed today.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, in the fall of 2021, AG Equipment mandated all employees receive a COVID-19 vaccination and told workers no exceptions would be permitted for any reason. Nonetheless, 10 employees submitted written requests seeking exemptions based on their religious beliefs or medical conditions. The company refused to discuss the employees’ requests or explore possible accommodations, and fired the 10 individuals on Oct. 15, 2021, along with 77 other unvaccinated workers.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibit religious and disability-based discrimination. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. AG Equipment Company, Case No. 24-cv-00403-CDL) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.

“While the law does not require employers to grant every request for religious or disability accommodation, they generally must do so when accommodation can be provided reasonably and safely,” said Andrea G. Baran, regional attorney for the EEOC’s St. Louis District. “Title VII requires employers to take workers’ religious beliefs seriously and communicate with employees to determine whether effective reasonable accommodations are available.”

David Davis, director of the EEOC’s St. Louis District office, said, “Workers are not required to set aside their religious beliefs when they walk in the door at work. Employers must work with employees when accommodations are requested and explore whether adjustments are possible and reasonable.”

For more information on religious and disability-based discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/religious-discrimination and https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc-disability-related-resources.

The EEOC’s St Louis District Office has jurisdiction over Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and a portion of southern Illinois.

The EEOC prevents and remedies unlawful employment discrimination and advances equal opportunity for all. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.