(80 second read)

In the fall 2020, the federal government updated it’s COVID-19 laws that clarify what employers should and should not do when protecting their employees and their workplaces. 

Here’s what will become critical in the coming months as vaccines become more accessible to all age groups in your locale:

The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) says that employers can mandate COVID-10 vaccines for employees, subject to some limits.  The most obvious of these limitations is the availability of vaccines for people.  Other limits include health, disability or religious reasons.  Employers may exclude these employees from the workplace only if no reasonable accommodation is possible.  “Reasonable accommodation” may be subjective, so I recommend contacting either your HR expert or benefits broker for guidance.  Also — be sure to follow local guidelines as they may differ from state and federal rules.

California has created a portal for employers to refer to in order to comply with the latest state and local regulations. It’s a useful resource for employers.  Here’s the link to the portal: saferatwork.covid19.ca.gov.

Robert Lehrer

[email protected]

CA License #0549514