Chase Hattaway answers questions about what businesses need to know when considering a vaccine mandate for employees on Spectrum News 13 and if this is allowed from a legal standpoint.

“The short answer is yes, but it comes with some caveats,” explains Hattaway. “The EEOC said earlier this year, employers are generally free to require employees to receive the vaccine, but they have to provide accommodations to employees who can’t receive the vaccine because of a disability or religious belief. Now, I think there’s going to be a really small segment of the population that can’t receive the vaccine because of a disability or a religious belief, but in those cases, employers should find an accommodation that allows the employee to perform their job without being vaccinated.”

Hattaway further explains that might include things like wearing a mask, working remotely, working a different part of the job site away other people or potentially providing negative Covid-19 tests on a regular basis.

Additionally, he notes that if you want to require employees to receive the vaccine you should provide the employees a clear and concise policy that says exactly what’s required, why it’s required, whether there are exceptions, etc.

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