Lawsuit Filed Against New York City’s New Workplace Vaccine Mandate

A new lawsuit has been filed against New York City due to the area’s new vaccine and testing requirements.  

At the end of 2021, the city enacted a mandate that would require most private sector businesses to ban unvaccinated employees from the workplace in an effort to control the ongoing spread of Covid-19. 

According to the lawsuit, businesses like Cornerstone Realty, the only plaintiff named in the case, are being forced to let go of employees who are not vaccinated and do not have the ability to appeal.  

“This case is not about vaccines, but about an employer’s right to be heard,” the lawsuit reads. 

The lawsuit also states that the city is violating constitutional rights of business owners and that companies are unable to take advantage of exemptions, as opposed to companies that can operate remotely. 

“As the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, remote work is impossible for Cornerstone Realty’s agents, who must be physically present to show or list properties,” the lawsuit states. “Businesses like Cornerstone Realty are similarly situated across New York City.” 

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio enacted the mandate just before leaving office and set a deadline of December 27 for all private sector companies to require employees to show proof of receiving at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. 

If businesses fail to comply, they could face fines of at least $1,000.