Pacific Justice Institute Secures Settlement for Idaho Employee Fired Over Religious Objection to COVID-19 Vaccine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2026

Pacific Justice Institute Secures Settlement for Idaho Employee Fired Over

Religious Objection to COVID-19 Vaccine

Settlement reinforces federal protections for religious accommodation in the workplace

BOISE, Idaho - Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) has secured a settlement on behalf of an Idaho employee who was terminated after requesting a religious accommodation to his employer's COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

The case, Dempsey v. Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Case No. 4:25-cv-00218-REP, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. Mr. Dempsey, a longtime employee, was fired after his employer denied his request for a religious exemption to its vaccination requirement.

According to court filings, Mr. Dempsey sought a religious accommodation based on his sincerely held religious convictions. Battelle Energy Alliance rejected Mr. Dempsey's request, asserting that his beliefs were insincere and non-religious in nature. Battelle further stated it would not grant religious exemptions to individuals who expressed that they prayed for guidance regarding vaccination.

The lawsuit was brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on religion and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation for sincerely held religious beliefs unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. Title VII is enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

"An individual's testimony and explanation of his beliefs must be given great weight in the context of Title VII religious discrimination claims," said Katherine Hartley, attorney with Pacific Justice Institute. "Employees like Mr. Dempsey should not have to choose between their faith and their livelihood."

Federal law defines religion broadly for purposes of Title VII, encompassing sincerely held moral and ethical beliefs with the strength of traditional religious views. Courts have recognized that employers may evaluate sincerity, but may not dismiss religious convictions simply because they disagree with them.

PJI Founder and President Brad Dacus said the settlement affirms that religious liberty protections extend into the workplace.

"When an employee presents a sincere religious conviction, federal law requires it to be treated with seriousness and respect," Dacus said. "This case reinforces that people of faith are entitled to the protections guaranteed under federal civil rights law."

Pacific Justice Institute has represented employees nationwide who sought religious accommodations during the COVID-19 vaccine mandate era, including healthcare professionals, educators, and private-sector employees.

Through litigation and advocacy, PJI continues to defend the protections guaranteed under Title VII and the broader principles of religious liberty recognized by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Learn more about Pacific Justice Institute's work defending civil liberties and constitutional rights: WWW.PJI.ORG

If your religious beliefs are being challenged in the workplace, contact Pacific Justice Institute by completing a GET HELP FORM.

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