WESTMINSTER, Colo. (KDVR) — Benjamin Helgeson has labored for Westminster Public Faculties for 19 years. He’s been positioned on unpaid depart for holding non secular beliefs that forestall him from getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Court docket paperwork filed on Tuesday, Oct. 26, present that Helgeson filed a lawsuit towards Westminster Public Faculties.
Helgeson was granted a non secular perception exemption from getting the vaccine on Sept. 27 by the Westminster College District, in accordance with the lawsuit.
On Oct. 7, the varsity district met with Helgeson to debate the non secular exemption. Following the assembly, the district despatched Helgeson a letter that claimed no non secular lodging might be offered with out the district incurring an undue hardship. Due to that, the district positioned Helgeson on unpaid depart.
Within the letter, it acknowledged that Helgeson is just not allowed to have any contact with any college students or workers, in accordance with the lawsuit.
“Throughout your depart, you’re directed to not have contact with any Westminster Public Faculties college students or workers in individual or by way of digital communications, or be current on any Westminster Public Faculties premises with out the permission of the Chief of Employees. Failure to stick to this directive will result in
disciplinary actions as much as an together with termination of employment.”
Helgeson’s spouse works for the Westminster College District, in accordance with the lawsuit, and he claims the directive by the district is inflicting misery as a result of he “can not chorus from contact or communications along with his partner, however dangers disciplinary motion, as much as and together with termination, when he does”.
Nonetheless, the district advised FOX31, “Mr. Helgeson was particularly advised this didn’t apply to his spouse”.
Helgeson has additionally been prevented from talking along with his associates who’re district workers members, in accordance with the lawsuit.
Within the lawsuit, Helgeson claims that as a result of the varsity district is just not accommodating his non secular beliefs exemption, they’re violating his first constitutional rights.
Westminster Public Faculties launched the next assertion:
“WPS is reviewing the lawsuit and denies any unsuitable doing. All selections had been made to assist the well being and security of the WPS group and to make sure the continuation of ‘in individual’ studying with as few disruptions as attainable.”
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