As employers look to reopen their doors following the COVID-19 pandemic, many are faced with a variety of legal questions concerning the issuance of mandatory vaccinations and other workplace safety protocols.\u00a0 To minimize liability and best address these legal challenges, it is critical that employers are aware of both their rights and obligations under state and federal law before bringing employees back into the workplace.<\/p>\n
Requiring COVID-19 Vaccinations and Proof of Vaccinations<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In the absence of any state law to the contrary, employers are free to mandate vaccinations in the workplace.\u00a0 When making this decision, however, employers must first determine whether a mandated vaccine policy is necessary given the nature of their workplace.\u00a0 For example, certain service industries (i.e. restaurants) may feel compelled to mandate vaccinations in order to appear safer and therefore more attractive to their public clientele.\u00a0 Conversely, other industries may find that mandating vaccines may have a negative impact on employee morale and therefore decide to simply encourage their employees to vaccinate.\u00a0 Employers must carefully engage in a cost-benefit analysis tailored to the nature of their specific business when deciding whether to impose a mandatory vaccine policy.<\/p>\n