Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

Colorful Disney shaped balloons against a blue sky.
(Photo Credit: minzzihyun/Shutterstock)

Disney employee lawsuit overview: 

  • Who: A former Disney World employee is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. Inc. 
  • Why: The plaintiff alleges the company discriminated against her because she was not vaccinated against COVID-19 due to religious objections.
  • Where: The Disney employee lawsuit was filed in a Florida federal court. 

An unvaccinated former Disney World worker has hit Walt Disney Parks and Resorts with a lawsuit alleging she had her civil rights violated when she was forced to wear a mask at work, and then fired for not doing so. 

Plaintiff Tamara Wolverton filed the complaint against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc. Dec. 28 in a Florida federal court, alleging religious bias. 

According to the lawsuit, Wolverton filed for an exemption to the company’s mandate that all employees get the COVID-19 vaccine, based on her religious beliefs, but the request was “ignored.” 

In February 2022, the company allegedly revised its face mask policy to make wearing a mask optional for vaccinated employees working indoors at the resorts. 

“However, the Augmented Health and Safety Protocols still applied to those employees who had not verified their vaccination status and required face coverings both indoors and outdoors,” Wolverton said. 

Plaintiff says she was fired after refusing to wear a mask at work

Wolverton says she refused to wear a mask “based on religious discrimination” and informed her supervisor that she wanted to work without a mask like her co-workers. Her request was allegedly denied, and she continued to push to go mask-free at work. 

In March, Wolverton said she was told by her supervisor that she would be placed on investigatory suspension if she did not wear a mask. On March 16, her employment was terminated, she says.

Wolverton alleges that the denial of her request for religious accommodation and subsequent termination were “unlawful acts of discrimination and retaliation” in violation of provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

She’s seeking back pay, damages and reinstatement. 

In November, Bentex issued a recall of nine Disney-themed children’s clothing sets as they are made with ink that contains lead in excess of federal limits.

What do you think of the allegations against Disney in this case? Let us know in the comments! 

Wolverton is represented by Jason W. Imler and Brian T. Gruber of Imler Law.

The Disney employee lawsuit is Wolverton v. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US Inc., Case No. 6:22-cv-02377, in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.


Don’t Miss Out!

Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!


Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter.

One thought on Disney lawsuit claims ex-employee fired for refusing to wear mask

  1. Jennifer Sebesian says:

    I was harassed and followed by a male security Guard to the woman’s bathroom for not wearing a mask , when I wasn’t even clocked in. They had just renewed the mask mandate that morning and I had no idea.. there is so much to this story, but long story short, I was fired after being at the same workplace for over 17 years…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. By submitting your comment and contact information, you agree to receive marketing emails from Top Class Actions regarding this and/or similar lawsuits or settlements, and/or to be contacted by an attorney or law firm to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you if you qualify. Required fields are marked *

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.