Ochsner can fire employees for vaccine mandate noncompliance, La. Supreme Court rules

NEW ORLEANS (WAFB) - A little more than two months after an appellate court ruled Ochsner cannot fire employees who refuse to get vaccinated, the Louisiana Supreme Court reinstated the measure.

The state’s highest court ruled on Friday, Jan. 7, that Ochsner, which is one of Louisiana’s largest hospital systems, does have the right to terminate workers for failing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The ruling has far-reaching effects across the state, as it applies to all private employers, not just healthcare facilities.

Ochsner Health’s President and CEO issued the following statement after the ruling of the state’s high court on Friday.

“We are pleased with the unanimous decision today from the Louisiana Supreme Court upholding the legality of Ochsner Health’s vaccination requirement.

Ochsner Health remains committed to protecting the health and safety of our patients, team members and everyone across the communities we serve, and this decision supports our right to enact policies that protect patients and staff at our facilities across Louisiana.

As we are currently experiencing a new surge due to the Omicron variant, we continue to keep the health and safety of our patients and team members a top priority,” Warner Thomas, President and CEO of Ochsner Health said.

RELATED STORIES:

• Ochsner moves forward with employee COVID vaccine requirement outside north La.
• Ochsner ‘deferring’ compliance with employee vaccine mandate in Shreveport, Monroe after legal setback
• Ruling: Ochsner can’t fire unvaccinated while mandate is challenged

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