Longtime NYC teacher wins court battle and reinstated after getting fired over Covid vaccine

[MrAnderson]

https://nypost.com/2024/09/03/us-news/longtime-nyc-teacher-wins-court-battle-over-covid-vax-and-is-still-barred-from-school/

Quote

Daphne Halkias, a single mom of four and educator for nearly 30 years, told The Post she “did everything right” in terms of fighting her case — and is now “kind of disgusted” that she is continuing to be hassled.  “I’m not a criminal, and yet they are making me feel like I’m breaking the law,” Halkias, 55, said after she was unceremoniously booted from PS-85 in Long Island City when she showed up for teacher orientation.

Quote

A judge last month ruled that Halkias was to be reinstated to the city Department of Education effective Aug. 1, after a protracted court battle over her employment

Quote

Queens Supreme Court Justice Chereé Buggs last month found that the DOE’s denial of Halkias’ religious exemption was “arbitrary and capricious, lacking a factual basis and adequate explanation” and ordered her to be instated with back pay.

A very interesting case where the judge ordered her reinstatement as a teacher with back pay but when the teacher went  for work she was told there was nothing for her in the school. The principal of the school said that she had no directions given to her about the reinstated teacher's case and there was no position for her because she wasn't officially in the system after she was fired.

I hope the situation normalizes and she is allowed to work as she did all these years given the court order. She shouldn't have been fired imo over a vaccine in the first place and there are several similar cases where employees have won their legal battles against their employers over the same issue.

Edited September 4 by MrAnderson

[Guyver]

Covid happened.  It was bad…it changed the world.  It is over….move along.  We need to go forward now, and do a better job in the future.

[MrAnderson]

2 hours ago, Guyver said:

Covid happened.  It was bad…it changed the world.  It is over….move along.  We need to go forward now, and do a better job in the future.

Very much in agreement with you. We must also not pressure or force people to take medications or get vaccinated if they don't want to and threaten them with dismissal and other severe consequences. Getting vaccinated/receive medications is a personal choice.

[MrAnderson]

https://nypost.com/2023/03/05/ny-board-tosses-covid-19-vax-mandate-for-court-workers/

This Article is from March 2023

"New York court workers must be rehired — and given back pay with interest — if they were fired because they refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the state’s Public Employment Relations Board has ruled.

Under terms of the decision issued last month, the Unified Court System must immediately “cease and desist” from enforcing policies that require all non-judicial employees to be vaccinated or undergo regular testing.

In addition, anyone “who lost accrued leave, compensation or employment” will have to be made “whole,” with interest paid “at the maximum legal rate,” according to the Feb. 24 decision obtained by The Post. 

The decision affects at least about 25 court officers who were fired, said Dennis Quirk, president of the New York State Court Officers Association, one of 10 unions that challenged the mandate.  A total of about 200 court workers were either fired or resigned or retired, Quirk said Sunday."

 

Edited September 4 by MrAnderson

[F3SS]

On 9/4/2024 at 3:04 AM, Guyver said:

Covid happened.  It was bad…it changed the world.  It is over….move along.  We need to go forward now, and do a better job in the future.

No way. The government ruined and incredible number of people's lives. They lost careers, businesses were crushed, toddlers were tortured by crazy daycare workers forcing masks on them as they cried and fought, schools were closed for way too long, education suffered immensely. We were gaslit to no end. Governors, senators and house members gathered maskless in restaurants and got haircuts as they told you to stay home or you'll kill somebody. You couldn't have a proper funeral unless you were George Floyd. You couldn't gather in crowds unless it was to protest for left wing causes. If your nursing home grandmother was lucky enough to have a ground floor with a window you could gather outside, gawk and stare as you tried your best to talk with her on the phone. There's so much more. The whole thing was an outrage. The virus didn't cause it. The government did and I hope to see much more accountability moving forward. Don't move on and don't forgive them. 

[Guyver]

1 hour ago, F3SS said:

No way. The government ruined and incredible number of people's lives. They lost careers, businesses were crushed, toddlers were tortured by crazy daycare workers forcing masks on them as they cried and fought, schools were closed for way too long, education suffered immensely. We were gaslit to no end. Governors, senators and house members gathered maskless in restaurants and got haircuts as they told you to stay home or you'll kill somebody. You couldn't have a proper funeral unless you were George Floyd. You couldn't gather in crowds unless it was to protest for left wing causes. If your nursing home grandmother was lucky enough to have a ground floor with a window you could gather outside, gawk and stare as you tried your best to talk with her on the phone. There's so much more. The whole thing was an outrage. The virus didn't cause it. The government did and I hope to see much more accountability moving forward. Don't move on and don't forgive them. 

Impressive response.

[psyche101]

2 hours ago, F3SS said:

No way. The government ruined and incredible number of people's lives. They lost careers, businesses were crushed, toddlers were tortured by crazy daycare workers forcing masks on them as they cried and fought, schools were closed for way too long, education suffered immensely. We were gaslit to no end. Governors, senators and house members gathered maskless in restaurants and got haircuts as they told you to stay home or you'll kill somebody. You couldn't have a proper funeral unless you were George Floyd. You couldn't gather in crowds unless it was to protest for left wing causes. If your nursing home grandmother was lucky enough to have a ground floor with a window you could gather outside, gawk and stare as you tried your best to talk with her on the phone. There's so much more. The whole thing was an outrage. The virus didn't cause it. The government did and I hope to see much more accountability moving forward. Don't move on and don't forgive them. 

Such exaggeration. 

Remember New Zealand had stronger lockdown rules than the US ever did and saved many more lives. 

Proof is in the result. People died for hysterical rantings about freedoms in the US while those who complied elsewhere are still here today. 

Ask the families of the dead if it was worth it. There's like seven million to pick from.

[+Link of Hyrule]

2 hours ago, F3SS said:

No way. The government ruined and incredible number of people's lives. They lost careers, businesses were crushed, toddlers were tortured by crazy daycare workers forcing masks on them as they cried and fought, schools were closed for way too long, education suffered immensely. We were gaslit to no end. Governors, senators and house members gathered maskless in restaurants and got haircuts as they told you to stay home or you'll kill somebody. You couldn't have a proper funeral unless you were George Floyd. You couldn't gather in crowds unless it was to protest for left wing causes. If your nursing home grandmother was lucky enough to have a ground floor with a window you could gather outside, gawk and stare as you tried your best to talk with her on the phone. There's so much more. The whole thing was an outrage. The virus didn't cause it. The government did and I hope to see much more accountability moving forward. Don't move on and don't forgive them. 

My best friend died during covid. He had several strokes (he was only 53) and spent two weeks in hospital before he died. Only direct relatives were allowed to visit him in Emergency. Then when he died only ten people were allowed to attend his funeral (that's not even enough for his own family to attend, let alone me, so I didn't get to say goodbye to him - my best friend and music jam partner). I will NEVER forgive the government for that outrage! 

Edited September 6 by Link of Hyrule

[psyche101]

Who would open a business in America?

Employees get to dictate that employers will employ them under the employees conditions. 

If she was transgender, wore DNC jumpers everyday or something that offended conservatives they would be wanting the judge in jail. 

Personal choices are only approved when personal choices meet expectations. Religious exemption is a way to get around practically anything and thing ones nose at the law referencing an imaginary being. I find that ridiculous.

The school can lose business over employing a person with controversial values. I'd pull a kid from a school if she was my kids teacher and I would state that as my reason to the school. She can be illustrated as a liability to the schools best interests. I hope the school appeals the decision.

[MrAnderson]

13 hours ago, F3SS said:

No way. The government ruined and incredible number of people's lives. They lost careers, businesses were crushed, toddlers were tortured by crazy daycare workers forcing masks on them as they cried and fought, schools were closed for way too long, education suffered immensely. We were gaslit to no end. Governors, senators and house members gathered maskless in restaurants and got haircuts as they told you to stay home or you'll kill somebody. You couldn't have a proper funeral unless you were George Floyd. You couldn't gather in crowds unless it was to protest for left wing causes. If your nursing home grandmother was lucky enough to have a ground floor with a window you could gather outside, gawk and stare as you tried your best to talk with her on the phone. There's so much more. The whole thing was an outrage. The virus didn't cause it. The government did and I hope to see much more accountability moving forward. Don't move on and don't forgive them. 

The response to the pandemic was disastrous. No doubt about it.

But times have changed and more and more people have realised that yes you can sue the hell out of them and asked for a generous compensation and reinstatement. Imagine what it is to be fired over a covid vaccine?! I am sure if you make a search you will find several cases similar to the one I posted.

Edited September 6 by MrAnderson

[MrAnderson]

11 hours ago, Link of Hyrule said:

My best friend died during covid. He had several strokes (he was only 53) and spent two weeks in hospital before he died. Only direct relatives were allowed to visit him in Emergency. Then when he died only ten people were allowed to attend his funeral (that's not even enough for his own family to attend, let alone me, so I didn't get to say goodbye to him - my best friend and music jam partner). I will NEVER forgive the government for that outrage! 

Sorry to hear that and you certainly not the only one in this position. How many others were not allowed to see their loved ones and they didn't even have the chance to say a final goodbye because of the most unreasonable restrictions we have ever seen. I wonder if they will employ again the word lockdown and how well this will be received if they do.

[MrAnderson]

10 hours ago, psyche101 said:

Who would open a business in America?

Employees get to dictate that employers will employ them under the employees conditions. 

If she was transgender, wore DNC jumpers everyday or something that offended conservatives they would be wanting the judge in jail. 

Personal choices are only approved when personal choices meet expectations. Religious exemption is a way to get around practically anything and thing ones nose at the law referencing an imaginary being. I find that ridiculous.

The school can lose business over employing a person with controversial values. I'd pull a kid from a school if she was my kids teacher and I would state that as my reason to the school. She can be illustrated as a liability to the schools best interests. I hope the school appeals the decision.

I don't know why do you have to mention transgenders in this thread which has nothing to do with the topic, but anyway since you mentioned it and also said that if the school teacher was teaching your kids you would pull them from school because of her beliefs (religious beliefs in this case). And you have every right to do so. My question is would you do the same if the teacher believed there is an infinite amount of genders or 150 genders (in case you think infinite is an exaggeration).

[F3SS]

15 hours ago, Link of Hyrule said:

My best friend died during covid. He had several strokes (he was only 53) and spent two weeks in hospital before he died. Only direct relatives were allowed to visit him in Emergency. Then when he died only ten people were allowed to attend his funeral (that's not even enough for his own family to attend, let alone me, so I didn't get to say goodbye to him - my best friend and music jam partner). I will NEVER forgive the government for that outrage! 

Sorry to hear that man. Just to be clear I've never took the stance that covid was fake or a hoax. I don't personally know anyone who died of it but I know a couple of people who did have to deal with that. 

 

4 hours ago, MrAnderson said:

The response to the pandemic was disastrous. No doubt about it.

But times have changed and more and more people have realised that yes you can sue the hell out of them and asked for a generous compensation and reinstatement. Imagine what it is to be fired over a covid vaccine?! I am sure if you make a search you will find several cases similar to the one I posted.

I'm so glad people are suing out there. As an employer myself there was no way I could tell my guys to go get a shot or be fired. Who the hell am I? I swing a hammer. Wtf do I know about vaccines? Even if I did know something, I have no authority to demand something like that. And that's how I feel about every corporate office out there who demanded their employees take something while they themselves wouldn't sign a contract holding them responsible if the employee caught adverse affects. I could rant.... but I'm glad there's at least some accountabilty happening out there.

[F3SS]

16 hours ago, psyche101 said:

Such exaggeration. 

Remember New Zealand had stronger lockdown rules than the US ever did and saved many more lives. 

Proof is in the result. People died for hysterical rantings about freedoms in the US while those who complied elsewhere are still here today. 

Ask the families of the dead if it was worth it. There's like seven million to pick from.

Not a single exaggeration. The way people were treated was awful. The way people were treated down under was even worse and statist that you are cheering on the tyrants the entire time was the most appalling of all. You should be ashamed at how you treated your fellow citizens and the members of UM.

Edited September 6 by F3SS

[MrAnderson]

1 hour ago, F3SS said:

Not a single exaggeration. The way people were treated was awful. The way people were treated down under was even worse and statist that you are cheering on the tyrants the entire time was the most appalling of all. You should be ashamed at how you treated your fellow citizens and the members of UM.

The poster unfortunately cheers for them and for censorship. I had another conversation very recently where he claimed that academics/experts are arbiters of truth and we must listen to them. So it's not a coincidence that he cheers for those who caused so many problems in our society by trying to impose the most unreasonable and dangerous restrictions and deprived many (especially the younger generations) from education, work, entertainment and so on.

Edited September 6 by MrAnderson

[F3SS]

13 minutes ago, MrAnderson said:

The poster unfortunately cheers for them and for censorship. I had another conversation very recently where he claimed that academics/experts are arbiters of truth and we must listen to them. So it's not a coincidence that he cheers for those who caused so many problems in the society by trying to impose the most unreasonable and dangerous restrictions and deprived many (especially the younger generations) from education, work, entertainment and so on.

Ha, just checked your profile to see how long you've been here. You ain't seen nothing yet.

[MrAnderson]

4 minutes ago, F3SS said:

Ha, just checked your profile to see how long you've been here. You ain't seen nothing yet.

Quick question. Do you think that experts/scientists are arbiters of truth and we should listen to them because of this reason.

[F3SS]

1 hour ago, MrAnderson said:

Quick question. Do you think that experts/scientists are arbiters of truth and we should listen to them because of this reason.

Did I give you that impression? I don't give them automatic credibility or discredit them automatically but nobody is an arbiter of truth. 

[MrAnderson]

1 minute ago, F3SS said:

Did I give you that impression? I don't give them automatic credibility or discredit them automatically but nobody is an arbiter of truth. 

It was more of a rhetoric question. Of course there are no arbiters of truth no matter how well educated they are. And it was a combination of politicians and well educated individuals that got it very wrong during the pandemic.

[F3SS]

1 minute ago, MrAnderson said:

It was more of a rhetoric question. Of course there are no arbiters of truth no matter how well educated they are. And it was a combination of politicians and well educated individuals that got it very wrong during the pandemic.

It's wasn't just the wrong stuff. So much of it was just plain gaslighting. Especially when Mr. Science himself, Fauci, said that large crowds protesting against racism was ok. He really showed his cards at that point as a deceitful political hack.

[MrAnderson]

21 minutes ago, F3SS said:

It's wasn't just the wrong stuff. So much of it was just plain gaslighting. Especially when Mr. Science himself, Fauci, said that large crowds protesting against racism was ok. He really showed his cards at that point as a deceitful political hack.

Why anyone will blindly trust Dr Fauci. The guy is a politician and a dinosaur. He has been in power since the 80s during the AIDS era. What happened to individualised medicine and common sense? They have all gone just like that but fortunately not everyone submitted to the pressures. Imagine what is to lose your job, your home, and your freedom because of a jab?! Any jab not just this one. The answer is to sue the hell out of them and put enormous pressures so this thing never happens again.

[psyche101]

7 hours ago, F3SS said:

Not a single exaggeration.

Every single part an exaggeration. Lying doesn't help. 

You're claims about government control wrong. You're claims that the mandates were permanent, wrong, when you played down the severity of Covid, wrong, when you panicked about side effect again you were wrong.

What is it you think you got right? 

7 hours ago, F3SS said:

The way people were treated was awful. The way people were treated down under was even worse

Right 

And for what time period were you here to make that determination?

I see you avoid mentioning new Zealand who had strong Covid controls, saved the most lives and the poor handling we saw from the US greatly. 

Globally you looked bad. Whilst you were thumbing your nose at countries who did much better than you did, they are all shaking their heads at your dismal Covid failures. America was probably one of the worst places to be during Covid globally. 

7 hours ago, F3SS said:

and statist that you are cheering on the tyrants the entire time was the most appalling of all. You should be ashamed at how you treated your fellow citizens and the members of UM.

You should be ashamed for misrepresenting the situation to suit your personal bias. Tyrants my backside, be more honest, you just think you should be able to pick and choose what laws apply to you and that which doesn't. You don't have a sense of community, just a self importance and from your posts it is more than obvious that you don't know squat about Covid outside your personal experience clearly you think you are the be all and end all of information. Guess what. You're not. You're just another selfish grub who couldn't give a rodents rectum about those around you affected by your deliberate ignorance. You're not forgiven for your lack of community care during Covid and you are remembered as an ahat who put others at risk. You owe your community a deep apology. 

[jmccr8]

I don't think that holding back someone from working in their field after covid is fair. Sure during the first year saying this is what has to be as a condition of participation for hire. 

Now we are not in the same situation so no need to impede their livelihood and shame them. It happened we are here today and likely will be tomorrow. Most were likely good people that were/are a benefit to society as a whole. 

[psyche101]

3 minutes ago, jmccr8 said:

I don't think that holding back someone from working in their field after covid is fair. Sure during the first year saying this is what has to be as a condition of participation for hire. 

Now we are not in the same situation so no need to impede their livelihood and shame them. It happened we are here today and likely will be tomorrow. Most were likely good people that were/are a benefit to society as a whole. 

 

I think that after a year it's highly unlikely that a position would remain vacant. Someone had to fill the hole the teacher left when she refused to comply with school rules 

I don't see why they would fire a more amicable employee who filled the hole she left to reinstate her in the original position. That seems incredibly unfair to the person who filled the role when it needed filling. 

It's part of her values. If she feels that strongly about them she should seek employment where they are accepted. I doubt that her personal views would contradict the likes of a Steiner school or similar. That's where she should go. Not force her personal values into a place where they aren't accepted. I think the school did the right thing standing by the employees who were there when needed. 

[jmccr8]

24 minutes ago, psyche101 said:

 

I think that after a year it's highly unlikely that a position would remain vacant. Someone had to fill the hole the teacher left when she refused to comply with school rules 

I don't see why they would fire a more amicable employee who filled the hole she left to reinstate her in the original position. That seems incredibly unfair to the person who filled the role when it needed filling. 

It's part of her values. If she feels that strongly about them she should seek employment where they are accepted. I doubt that her personal views would contradict the likes of a Steiner school or similar. That's where she should go. Not force her personal values into a place where they aren't accepted. I think the school did the right thing standing by the employees who were there when needed. 

HI Psyche 

I didn't say they had to go back to the same school only that they shouldn't be impeded from being employed. I am not sure how it works in your country or the US but here the education board hires for whole districts so likely could find a vacancy somewhere and at least do sub work till a position is found. In trades no one gives a crap here if you got restricted by a company during covid for refusing, demand is high. You have no idea how much work I turn away. When I was younger people thought I looked too young to know what I am doing and now they are telling me I am too young to quit. Lol