As the Delta variant continues make its presence known, more employers are continuing to explore mandatory vaccination policies for their staff.  This comes on the heels of Governor Lamont’s executive order that requires teachers and others to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing.

My colleagues and I have been fielding questions on a daily basis.  Can we mandate vaccination for employees? (Yes) Are there exceptions? (Yes.)

The questions have gotten more nuanced, however, as this pandemic develops. For example, when and how can you challenge an employee’s request for a religious exemption? What accommodations can you really provide when someone isn’t vaccinated given the contagious nature of this virus?

I’ve covered some of the basics before, but I’m going to be digging a little deeper with two upcoming webinars in the next two weeks.  Please feel free to sign up where applicable.

On September 2, 2021, at 2 p.m. my colleague Sheridan King and I will be speaking to the Connecticut Construction Industries Association about mandatory vaccination policies and the issues unique to the construction industry. For example, can contractors ask subcontractors to only send vaccinated employees to a worksite? How do exemptions work when a customer requires vaccination? You can see the flyer and sign up here.

A week later, on September 9, 2021 at noon, Sheridan King, Jarad Lucan and I are presenting a Shipman & Goodwin LLP Webinar for all private employers about the very latest in developments concerning mandatory vaccination policies.

This free webinar will provide employers with a better understanding of the legal and practical considerations of mandatory vaccine policies and address frequently asked questions related to employee requests for accommodations. While the content will focus mainly on the applicable requirements in the private sector, public employers may find many of the principles useful in analyzing similar issues.

Among the topics we’ll cover:

  • Legal and practical considerations of instituting a mandatory vaccine policy
  • Who pays for the vaccine: the employer or the employee?
  • Workplace surveys and record keeping for employee vaccination status
  • Addressing confidentiality concerns
  • Responding to requests for accommodations, engaging in the interactive process, and undue hardship

You can sign up here.  Attorneys can also get one hour of CLE credit for participating in the program.

Mandatory vaccination policies are here to stay. Whether they are right for your workplace and whether you are ready to manage this is something that you and your business will be better able to address after our webinars. Look forward to seeing you then.