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Wons v. Thermo Fisher Scientific — 10th Cir. (argued September 15, 2026)

No. 26-1009 Argued September 15, 2026 Published September 16, 2026

The Tenth Circuit hears Richard Wons's employment-discrimination appeal against Thermo Fisher Scientific. Wons objected on religious grounds to the company's COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Thermo Fisher conditionally excused vaccination if he instead complied with weekly nasal-swab testing, masking, and distancing. Wons asked about spit tests and did not accept those conditions; the company placed him on unpaid leave and later fired him. The district court entered summary judgment for Thermo Fisher, holding that the offered accommodation was reasonable and that Wons had not told the company that nasal-swab testing itself conflicted with his religion. Wons says a jury should decide whether his original request and later communications gave enough notice. Thermo Fisher asks the court to affirm.

Wons v. Thermo Fisher Scientific (No. 26-1009) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, argued September 15, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit:https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/sites/ca10/files/oralarguments/26-1009.mp3
September 2026 argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit:https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/sites/ca10/files/calendar/events/September_2026_-_Final_Calendar.pdf
District court summary-judgment order — U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-cod-1_23-cv-00480/pdf/USCOURTS-cod-1_23-cv-00480-3.pdf
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 — U.S. Courts:https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf

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