Employers Mandating COVID Vaccines at Work: How Should Employers Proceed with all the Regulatory Guidance!

On April 2, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance entitled Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. The guidance states that certain restrictions have been eased for fully vaccinated people — defined as receiving both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In terms of workplace-specific recommendations, the Interim Public Health Recommendations state that fully vaccinated employees of non-healthcare, high-density workplaces (e.g., meat and poultry processing and manufacturing plants) with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine the following exposure.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommend following routine workplace screening programs and testing following exposure.

The Workplace Vaccinations Program guidance provides recommendations to employers for structuring vaccination programs for their employees and building confidence among employees in the vaccines.

Employers should be cautious of creating vaccine mandates or even voluntary mandates and encouragement that may conflict with EEOC disability and religious guidelines.

The guidance also suggests post-vaccination protocols. For example, the guidance recommends offering flexible, non-punitive sick leave options (e.g., paid sick leave) for employees with post-vaccination signs and symptoms.  It also recommends encouraging employees to report possible side effects, specifically through a new smartphone-based tool called “v-safe,” which helps the CDC monitor people’s health after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Session Highlights:-

• How are the new administration guidance and CDC guidelines regarding masks impacting the workplace?
• How can Employers communicate updates effectively according to how their employees have reacted to vaccination in the workplace?
• Learn how the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Family First Coronavirus Response Act New options can assist Employers in mitigating all the workplace issues around COVID-19 in the workplace.
• How have the EEOC & CDC recommended policies for vaccination in the workplace?
• How is OSHA’s perspective play into the vaccination in the work process?
• How can Employers mitigate the changes happening in the workplace when it comes to vaccines in the workplace?
• What vaccination guidelines need to be included in the employee handbook and which need to be excluded?
• What vaccination process needs to be established to be compliant with EEOC requirements & CDC guidelines?
• What are the religious protection implications of vaccine mandates?
• Pros and cons of mandatory vaccines
• How can Employers manage vaccine hesitancy?
• What are the job-related and consistent with business necessity when it comes to mandatory vaccination?
• What are some states focused on when it comes to mandated vaccines?
• What happens if employees refuse to be vaccinated?
• Are there consequences if Employers do not mandate vaccination?
• What should be included in a workplace vaccine policy?
• What are the best practices when it comes to vaccine policies?

Why Should You Attend?

After an employer determines that it is safe to reopen the workplace, and some portion of the workforce is fully vaccinated, they should follow the current science and workplace guidelines. This includes wearing well-fitting masks, making sure employees are staying at least six feet apart from each other, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and washing hands often. Based on the new updates, Employers are more than ever concerned about relaxing their policies as they mitigate vaccination programs, vaccine hesitancy, reasonable accommodations, and other options during COVID-19 in the workplace.

Who Should attend?

• Employers in all industries
• Business Owners
• Company Leadership
• HR Professionals
• Compliance Professionals
• Payroll Administrators
• Managers/Supervisors
• Small Business Owner