CITY EMPLOYEE FAILED TO SHOW HE HAD A “SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEF”
After his request for a religious exemption to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement was denied by the municipality’s “Reasonable Accommodation Appeals Panel,” G.L. filed an administrative proceeding [via CPLR Article 78] with the New York County Supreme Court.
When the judge later denied G.L.’s request to annul that determination, an appeal to the Appellate Division, First Department, ensued.
On its review, the AD1 thought that the record supported the underlying outcome. Among other things, it was determined that G.L.’s request was not based on any “sincerely held religious belief,” because he failed to proffer a “history of refusing medications or vaccines,” and failed to demonstrate that he had “avoided any other vaccines or medications based on the same objection.”
Since the Panel’s determination was not “arbitrary or capricious or made in violation of lawful procedure,” the AD1 left the outcome undisturbed.
Do you think that made G.L. sick?
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