Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente has reached settlement agreements with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to a June 17 EEOC news release.
The EEOC said the agreements resolve 12 complaints filed with the agency for $358,000, along with injunctive relief. Kaiser Permanente did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlements.
According to the EEOC, its investigation of the complaints found reasonable cause to believe Kaiser Permanente violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to provide some employees with religious accommodations under its vaccine mandate and by questioning the sincerity of employees’ religious beliefs.
Kaiser Permanente denies the allegations and said it acted within the law.
“Kaiser Permanente highly values its employees and is committed to providing them an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and that supports their individual rights while also promoting the health and safety of our workforce, patients, and community at large,” the health system said in a statement shared with Becker’s.
