A former BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee employee is suing the payer alleging she was fired for complaining about the company's COVID-19 vaccination requirement to state lawmakers, The Chattanoogan reported Jan. 4.
The employee's position required them to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in accordance with company-wide policies. After the former employee's request for a vaccine exemption was denied, she wrote about their "concerns and grievances regarding vaccine mandates" to state legislators, according to the Chattanoogan.
The employee's email was then read to a committee and was forwarded to BlueCross BlueShield, which prompted the payer to deem it a violation of the company's social media policy, according to the lawsuit.
The employee is seeking $250,000 in compensatory damages and $750,000 in punitive damages.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has not responded to Becker's request for comment at the time of publication.