A former San Francisco Public Utilities worker has filed suit against the city's Public Utilities Commission, claiming she was illegally fired in violation of her rights for refusing to receive a Covid vaccine.
Plaintiff Lolita Wilkins claims that her refusal to get vaccinated was based on her religious beliefs as a Hebrew Israelite. She had requested a religious exemption from the vaccination requirement in September 2021, which was initially accommodated by allowing her to telecommute. However, in October 2021, she was informed that permanent accommodation was no longer possible, due to "undue hardship" for the employer.
The lawsuit states that Wilkins was referred for a city-wide job search in November 2021 but failed to find any suitable position. She continued to be accommodated until May 2022 when she was placed on leave and eventually terminated in November 2022.
The complaint accuses the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission of violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title VII, citing failure to accommodate her religion by refusing to grant exemption from the Covid vaccination mandate and terminating her employment as a result.
Wilkins is represented by attorney Arkady Itkin, of Law Office of A. Itkin, of San Francisco.
The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco County Superior Court on Jan. 12.