The COVID-19 vaccines are here. Several are either approved or are pending approval. The CDC is settings priorities for who receives the vaccine. High on the list will be healthcare workers, nursing home residents and workers, and first responders. Essential workers won’t be far behind. Older Americans, including older workers, will also be relatively high-priority recipients. Then, as supplies increase, the entire workforce and Americans generally will be able to get in line for inoculation. Employers no doubt will want to see their employees immunized at the earliest opportunity. Fulfilling this goal will entail some significant legal issues. This webinar identifies, and provides practical guidance, on navigating those legal landmines and arriving at a fully immunized workplace.

Learning Objectives:-

• The latest data on the vaccines’ availability.
• Early results of the vaccines’ efficacy.
• The EEOC’s position on requiring the vaccine of all employees in your workplace.
• The HIPAA, ADA, and GINA issues that may arise and how to handle them.
• The best practices for encouraging and/or mandating vaccination.
• How to deal with your union in instituting, promoting, and executing the vaccination program.

Session Highlights:-

• Can I require all my employees to be vaccinated?
• What if an employee voices a religious objection to vaccination?
• What if an employee has a disability that prevents her from being vaccinated?
• If I provide a vaccine only to our older workers, is that legally permissible?
• Is the company liable if an employee has an adverse reaction to a vaccine? Is this a workers’ compensation compensable illness?
• May I require my employees to obtain the vaccine on their own and at their own expense?

Areas Covered in the Session:-

• COVID-19 vaccines’ availability
• COVID-19 vaccines’ effectiveness
• EEOC’s position of ADA, age, and religious discrimination claims involving mandatory vaccination
• Best practices for encouraging and/or mandating employee vaccination
• HIPAA, ADA, and GINA confidentiality issues
• Union negotiation and notification requirements
• Workers’ compensation coverage issues
• Latest CDC guidelines

Key Points:-

• Will I get sued if I discipline employees for refusing to be vaccinated?
• Will I violate the ADA or the ADEA, if I try to prioritize which employees receive the vaccine first?
• Will I have workers’ compensation immunity if an employee gets seriously ill or dies after receiving a vaccination?

Why Should You Attend?

• Develop an immunization plan that meets legal requirements.
• Develop a communication policy for selling the plan to the employees.

Who Should Attend?

• Owners
• Senior & middle managers
• HR
• In-house counsel
• In-house medical staff