MGM Resorts faces lawsuits from workers fired over COVID-19 vaccine refusal

A federal judge is expected to consolidate several lawsuits this week involving former MGM Resorts International employees who claim they were wrongfully terminated for refusing the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The lawsuits, filed between December 2022 and July 2024 in the U.S. District Court of Nevada, allege that MGM dismissed workers who declined the vaccine on religious grounds, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Three of the six complaints have already been merged at the request of both parties. With two additional lawsuits filed in July, the judge will soon decide whether to combine these cases with the existing consolidated filings.

The complaints accuse MGM Resorts of violating Nevada and federal anti-discrimination laws and engaging in unlawful employment practices.

Court records show that the former employees, who sought religious exemptions from the company's 2021 vaccine mandate, were terminated after their requests were denied and they refused the vaccination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently authorized two of the complainants to pursue legal action, prompting them to file lawsuits in federal court shortly thereafter.

The former MGM workers, represented by Jennings & Fulton, a Las Vegas-based law firm, held various roles across the company’s properties in Las Vegas, including New York-New York and MGM Grand. Their years of service ranged from seven to 28 years, and their positions spanned food and beverage, casino management, marketing, and venue operations.

MGM was the first major U.S. casino operator to implement a COVID-19 vaccine requirement following its approval for widespread use in 2021. In August of that year, the company mandated vaccinations for salaried employees who could not work remotely, with a compliance deadline of October 15, 2021.

The plaintiffs assert that they completed all necessary paperwork to request religious exemptions and responded to follow-up questions from MGM. Despite these efforts, their exemption requests were denied, and they were ultimately fired for refusing the vaccine, the report said.

At least 15 similar lawsuits have been filed against MGM and its properties, with seven cases already resolved. Court documents do not provide details on how these cases were settled, but one case involving a former Aria casino employee was dismissed in October 2023.