?The Biden administration has instructed federal agencies to cease all COVID-19 testing based on vaccination status, marking a new approach in dealing with the pandemic.
We’ve rounded up articles from SHRM Online and other trusted outlets on the news.
Vaccination Rules Evolve
Guidance on the changes, which went into effect Aug. 22, state that agencies will no longer need to screen employees based on their vaccination status, and that the federal government will no longer treat employees differently based on whether they are up to date with their vaccinations. Employees, contractors and visitors will also no longer be asked for proof of vaccination before entering federal buildings. Some facilities in settings that require it will continue testing all employees.
Quarantine Changes
Federal employees exposed to COVID-19 will no longer have to undergo different isolation requirements to other employees. This means not having to stay at home and quarantine, provided they are asymptomatic.
Mandatory Workplace COVID-19 Testing Must Be Justified, EEOC Says
Employers will need to assess pandemic and workplace circumstances in order to justify mandatory COVID-19 testing of employees going forward, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 12.
Vaccine Requirements in Job Ads Are Declining
The number of employers asking job applicants to be vaccinated before starting a new role has continuously fallen since its peak of 7.1 percent of U.S. job listings, recorded in mid-March.
What to Do When Workers Refuse a COVID-19 Vaccination
The EEOC allows workplace vaccination mandates when they are job-related and consistent with business necessity. Many businesses continue to review and revise their COVID-19 vaccination policies as the pandemic persists—and employers may be asking what they can do if workers refuse to get the jab. Some employers are firing workers or putting them on unpaid leave. Others are requiring unvaccinated employees to submit to weekly testing and take other safety precautions.
SHRM’s Coronavirus Resources Page
This page contains COVID-19 vaccination resources, as well as information on return-to-work and remote-work issues.