Re: Flu shot job requirements

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I live in NJ & work for a hospital in PA who is requiring that all

employees with direct patient contact receive the flu vaccine. I have

chosen not to receive it due to my religious beliefs. I am told that I

need a letter from a clergy member of my religion so that human

resources can review it. I know there are religious exemptions for

kids & schools, but does it carry over to the workplace? Can they ask

my specific religion and/or require a letter from clergy, or should my

exemption letter stating its against my religious beliefs be

sufficient? Thanks

[Guest guest]

I lived in NJ and we never had to produce a clergy for my boy's

letters of exemption. You simply state it is against your religion in

a particular way. It would seem to be the same case for work. You

can have your own religion of sorts, can't you? Who says there has to

be clergy? I guess if you have to, you can join one of those who are

against all medication.

Good luck,

Liz

>

> Hi,

> I live in NJ & work for a hospital in PA who is requiring that all

> employees with direct patient contact receive the flu vaccine. I have

> chosen not to receive it due to my religious beliefs. I am told that I

> need a letter from a clergy member of my religion so that human

> resources can review it. I know there are religious exemptions for

> kids & schools, but does it carry over to the workplace? Can they ask

> my specific religion and/or require a letter from clergy, or should my

> exemption letter stating its against my religious beliefs be

> sufficient? Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Every state is different. But NO they should not be able to require

a letter from a clergyperson.

The federal cort case Frazee v. Illinois Department of Employment

Security states that you do not hvae to be part of a formal religion

to claim an emception (in this case was working on Sunday). This can

be seen to say that even atheism is a form of religion, which of

course would not have any type of clergy. Here is the case

http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/dmstree/uipl/uipl89/uipl_4389.htm

I also work as a PT in the medical field. I refuse the TB skin test

for the same reasons as vaccines. They can around with the TB and I

refused. They can not force you to undergo a medical procedure that

you do not want.

Your state law is trick they did a good job to prevent excemptions.

Here is what it says: A written statement should be submitted by the

student, or the student's parent or guardian if the student is a

minor, explaining how the administration of the vaccine conflicts

with the bona fide religious tenets or practices of the student, or

the parent or guardian, as appropriate; except that a general

philosophical or moral objection to the vaccination shall not be

sufficient for an exemption on religious grounds.

I would simply write a vary simple letter stating that vaccinations

are against your religious beliefs.

Here is the vaccination liberation site info on NJ exceptions.

http://www.vaclib.org/chapter/exemptnj.htm

Just keep it simple. And if they begin to question come bakc

with " are you questioning my religious beleifs? "

Sorry I can't be more help...man NJ is tricky. I would also write to

every legislator to try to get the law changed.

Good luck

andrea

> >

> > Hi,

> > I live in NJ & work for a hospital in PA who is requiring that

all

> > employees with direct patient contact receive the flu vaccine. I

have

> > chosen not to receive it due to my religious beliefs. I am told

that I

> > need a letter from a clergy member of my religion so that human

> > resources can review it. I know there are religious exemptions

for

> > kids & schools, but does it carry over to the workplace? Can

they ask

> > my specific religion and/or require a letter from clergy, or

should my

> > exemption letter stating its against my religious beliefs be

> > sufficient? Thanks

> >

>