Federal Judge Limits Unpaid Leave for Unvaccinated Workers at US Lab

U.S. District Judge Charles Atchley in Knoxville has limited the ability, for now, for the nonprofit US lab, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to place employees on unpaid leave who have previously receive exemptions for the vaccine requirement. The federal judge issued the temporary restraining order Friday which prevents placing employees on indefinite unpaid leave or firing them after they receive a religious or medical exemption to the vaccine.

Atchley stated that he will decide by Oct. 29 whether to let the order expire or keep it while the case plays out, as six employees have sued the organization. Atchley reasoned that “preventing their (employees’) placement on unpaid leave for a matter of two weeks simply will not harm” the organization. He believes the unpaid leave presents a “functional loss of employment” and other damages for the workers at the lab.

Source: 13 WHAM