Can an employee refuse to come to work because of fear of infection?

Employees are only entitled to refuse to work if they believe in good faith that they are in imminent danger.

Section 13(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) defines “imminent danger” to include “any conditions or practices in any place of employment which are such that a danger exists which can reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of such danger can be eliminated through the enforcement procedures otherwise provided by this Act.” OSHA discusses imminent danger as where there is “threat of death or serious physical harm,” or “a reasonable expectation that toxic substances or other health hazards are present, and exposure to them will shorten life or cause substantial reduction in physical or mental efficiency.”

The pastor should work with the employee to determine why the employee fears contracting the infection in the course of their work and may provide accommodations to help the employee ease their fear (i.e. change in work shift, provide protective gloves, reduce contact with the public).