Hershey's Shocking COVID Secret: What They’re Not Telling You Could Cost You Big!

In a significant development, former employees of the Hershey Company who filed lawsuits against the candy giant for alleged wrongful termination related to the COVID-19 vaccine have dropped their claims. The four plaintiffs argued that their Christian beliefs prevented them from receiving the vaccine, which they said should have qualified them for a religious exemption under the company's health and safety policies.

The individuals—Thomas Szeltner, Cheryl Malovic, Benjamin Stoffel, and Jennifer Gurdock—filed complaints in federal court claiming that their dismissals constituted religious discrimination. While Szeltner pursued his case alone, Malovic, Stoffel, and Gurdock filed a joint lawsuit. As of now, Szeltner, Malovic, and Stoffel have reached settlements with the company, while Gurdock is expected to finalize her settlement next month under the oversight of Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab.

The controversy traces back to August 2020 when The Hershey Company implemented its vaccine mandate, requiring all corporate and commercial employees to provide proof of vaccination. At that time, the company indicated that a “small number” of employees had been “separated from the company” for failing to comply with this mandate, which arose amid growing concerns about workplace safety amid the pandemic.

Despite filing for religious accommodations to Hershey’s vaccine policy, the plaintiffs found their requests denied, while the company continued to allow unvaccinated employees in manufacturing and retail roles to work without restrictions. According to the lawsuit, all four employees were terminated in early 2022 strictly for their noncompliance with the vaccination requirements.

Complicating matters, in March 2022, Hershey revised its health and safety policies allowing unvaccinated staff to return to offices under specific accommodation measures, and the vaccination mandate itself was lifted in May 2023. Despite the firing, the plaintiffs stated that Hershey documented their departures as “voluntary resignation” or “resignation without good cause.” However, the company maintained that their terminations were due to their refusal to be vaccinated.

Szeltner, Gurdock, and Stoffel, all of whom identify as Roman Catholic, cited their religious beliefs as the reason for their refusal to receive the vaccine. They contended that the vaccine was either created or tested using aborted fetal tissue, a claim rooted in the complex ethical debates surrounding vaccine development. While the vaccines do not contain fetal cells or tissues, they were tested using fetal cell lines derived from tissue collected in the 1970s and 80s, as noted by the National Institute of Health. The Vatican has stated that it is morally acceptable to receive vaccines that relied on these cell lines during research and production processes.

Malovic articulated her beliefs by stating that her “body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,” emphasizing that the Bible instructs her to guard what she consumes. She expressed concerns about the natural immune system and the potential harm of receiving substances of unknown nature. Meanwhile, the FDA has confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccine underwent extensive clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants to evaluate its safety and effectiveness before being granted emergency authorization.

The situation reflects a larger national debate over vaccine mandates, religious exemptions, and workplace policies. As companies navigate the complexities of health guidelines and employee rights, the cases against Hershey serve as a reminder of the challenges associated with balancing public health measures and individual beliefs.

As of this writing, inquiries by PennLive to a Hershey Company spokesperson for comment have gone unanswered, and attempts to reach attorneys for the plaintiffs have also been unsuccessful. Szeltner’s attorney, Lindsay O’Neil, declined to make a statement regarding the settlements.