A newly proposed Arizona bill would force employers to compensate workers who are fired for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
“Exemptions and accommodations were supposed to be made according to the Civil Rights Act and Arizona’s own attorney general, so it is very disappointing businesses are ignoring individual rights of people and employees, and terminating as a small business owner, I wouldn’t do that.
“So, it is disheartening. We need the government to protect these people,” Arizona State Rep. Steve Kaiser said, according to Fox 10.
The consequences
“If the Employees Compensation Bill becomes law, AZ employers would be required to pay a fired employee’s annual salary in one sum or over the course of a year,” Fox News reported.
“Employers would also have the option of rehiring the employees for the same or similar job,” it added.
“If the Employees Compensation Bill becomes law, AZ employers would be required to pay a fired employee’s annual salary in one sum or over the course of a year. Employers would also have the option of rehiring the employees for the same or similar job.” https://t.co/cgsriPlQff
— BiɢSĸy🇺🇸 (@246LJ) February 3, 2022
The governor’s view
Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed an executive order last December that banned local and state government groups from creating their own vaccine mandates, excluding health organizations.
Governor @dougducey snuck in a vaccine mandate ban in his executive order yesterday
HUGE THANK YOU to Governor Ducey for looking after Arizonans employed by the government before Christmas
🌟 🎄 🎁Plz consider calling a special session to create protections for private sector pic.twitter.com/foL46jEpva
— Merissa Hamilton (@merissahamilton) December 16, 2021
The governor has previously strongly opposed vaccine mandates as well as mask mandate requirements in the state.
The order has angered Democrats in some parts of the state who have fought against the action.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero has no intention of following an executive order from Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey that says cities and other municipalities can’t mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for employees.https://t.co/Oj9IOu28cn
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) December 18, 2021
The bill may make opposition to vaccine mandates stronger in the state just as the nation begins to roll back mandates as well.