By Emma Mayer
Staff Writer
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A lawsuit filed by a former Walgreens employee allegedly states that she was fired for not wearing a disposable mask after claiming that it aggravated her asthma.
Cynthia Stephens began working as a pharmacy technician at the Bridgeton Walgreens in Cumberland, New Jersey, in 2019, according to the court complaint. She recalled disposable masks being made mandatory by the company in March 2020.
Prior to the requirement, Stephens had made it clear that the disposable masks worsen her asthma, and asked to wear a cloth mask instead. The suit stated she was told to speak to a regional manager. She was then sent her to speak with security operations, who gave her accommodation forms to fill out that might potentially let her wear the cloth masks.
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The suit said that her accommodation forms were approved, but only through July 2020. In August, she had an asthma attack at work that resulted in a trip to the emergency room in an ambulance. The complaint said that she went back to work soon after.
After requesting again in September to wear a cloth mask, Stephens was told she could not wear one in the pharmacy anymore. She was given the option of wearing disposable masks or being demoted to working on the store floor with a pay cut.
When claiming that the options she was given would aggravate her asthma, the suit stated that she was fired.
The lawsuit claimed that Stephens is suing the Bridgeton Walgreens for discrimination against her for a medical condition defined as a disability, failing to provide accommodations, and retaliation.
Big businesses in the United States have now begun vaccine campaigns, and Walgreens is among the list of stores that are allowing fully vaccinated people to shop without a mask on as of May 19.
Kroger, one of the country's largest grocery store chains, is offering an incentive to getting vaccinated now as well, claiming that it will give away millions of dollars and prizes like free groceries for a year for people who get their COVID-19 vaccine at a Kroger Health.
Other stores like Target, Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods are among those not enforcing masks on customers or employees who are fully vaccinated.
On May 20, Walgreens released an official statement as well stating that fully vaccinated employees no longer have to wear masks, either.
"The update applies to team members in all Walgreens locations including stores, distribution centers, facilities and support offices," it read.
Newsweek reached out to a Walgreens spokesperson for comment, but did not hear back in time for publication.
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