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Worker Denied Benefits After Refusing COVID Vaccine Mandate

2/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Dmytro Ponomarov, a B.C. government worker, was denied employment benefits after being fired for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
He argued the mandate wasn't part of the collective agreement and did not request accommodations.
Federal Justice Russel Zinn determined Ponomarov voluntarily left his job without just cause.
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission upheld the termination for misconduct, rejecting Ponomarov's appeals.

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Story summary

Dmytro Ponomarov, a B.C. government worker, was denied employment benefits after being fired for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
He argued the mandate wasn't part of the collective agreement and did not request accommodations.
Federal Justice Russel Zinn determined Ponomarov voluntarily left his job without just cause.
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission upheld the termination for misconduct, rejecting Ponomarov's appeals.