An initial approval, a reopened review, then a firing - and the dispute isn't over
A federal appeals court has revived a consultant's religious-discrimination case, ruling she said enough to flag her objection to a vaccine mandate.
On July 24, 2026, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's decision to dismiss the case and sent it back for more proceedings. The ruling hinged on a question that sits at the center of everyday HR work: how much does an employee have to say before an employer is on notice of a religious conflict?
The worker, a fully remote managerial senior consultant in her employer's health-engagement consulting department, worked for The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG). In August 2021, TPMG rolled out a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. Employees had to show proof of vaccination or secure an exemption by September 30. Those who did not faced 60 days of unpaid leave, then termination.
She asked for a religious exemption, describing herself as a Christian Jew whose faith barred the vaccine. She listed passages from Deuteronomy and 1 Corinthians and said Jewish law required her to "maintain h[er] body and blood uncontaminated." TPMG approved the request, but called it "provisional."
Three weeks later, the company reopened its review, pointing to concerns about "a pattern of insincere religious-exemption requests" among staff. It sent follow-up questions asking whether she refused other substances or medications on religious grounds. She...
A Middle Tennessee library is pushing back against what it calls false social media claims regarding its collection. The Putnam County Library stated it has not received any formal book challenges...