MATTHEWS, N.C. (WBTV) – A nurse is suing Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, claiming religious discrimination after the hospital refused to approve her religious accommodation against getting the flu shot.
Kristine Matthies was hired by Novant Health in 2016 as a registered nurse in the operating and emergency rooms, according to the lawsuit filed on Jan. 10. Matthies said she submitted a religious exemption request, saying her religious beliefs prevented her from being able to get the flu shot.
She later went on an approved Family and Medical Leave of Absence to care for her father out of state and did not have access to her work email, according to the lawsuit. During that time, her religious exemption request was reportedly denied, and the deadline to appeal had passed…