First Circuit Ruling Highlights Ongoing COVID-19 Religious Discrimination Issues
The First Circuit Court of Appeals’ recent decision in DeAngelis v. Hasbro, Inc. , is a reminder to employers that religious discrimination claims stemming from COVID-19 vaccination policies are not yet a thing of the past . Those cases continue to offer crucial insights for employers as they navigate religious accommodation requests in other contexts. 0:00 4:56 Quick Hits On January 29, 2026, the First Circuit reversed the dismissal of plaintiffs’ religious discrimination and retaliation claims arising from their employer’s COVID-19 vaccination policy. In doing so, the First Circuit made clear that “my-body-is-my-temple arguments rooted in a plaintiff’s religious beliefs are sufficient to plead the existence of a bona fide religious belief.” Additionally, although the employees resigned their employment, the court concluded that allegations regarding the investigation of one plaintiff’s alleged failure to wear a mask at an employer-sponsored event and another plaintiff’s removal ...