According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), companies can require employees to be vaccinated and request proof of vaccination.
However, many businesses are instead, encouraging or incentivizing vaccinations. Yet, even incentivizing vaccinations can cause questions or concerns from your employees.
According to EEOC officials, employers should keep in mind that some employees may face greater barriers to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination than others and some employees may be more likely to be negatively impacted by a vaccination incentive or requirement.
The EEOC has put out a new resource for employees to advise them on how federal employment discrimination laws help workers:
“Federal Laws Protect You Against Employment Discrimination During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” is available online.
To assist employers, the EEOC posted updated and expanded its guidance on May 28, 2021, that especially addresses questions arising under the federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws when it comes to COVID-19.
“What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” is available online.
The key updates of the EEOC’s expanded guidance include:
The guidance also shares additional anti-discrimination information that employers should know when it comes to the pandemic; however, the EEOC notes that the information only looks at EEO factors, and that other federal, state, and local laws may come into play.
Under the EEOC guidance, employers may:
For more information about discrimination as it pertains to COVID-19 or the vaccination, check out “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.”
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