THE GUIDANCE TONIGHT DAVID. YEAH. ROB JULIE A LABOR ATTORNEY HERE IN OMAHA TELLS ME YOUR VACCINATION STATUS IS NOT PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION. AND YES YOU ARE JOB CAN REQUIRE YOU TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE. THERE ARE A FEW EXCEPTIONS YOUR JOB MUST PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO YOU IF YOU HAVE RELIGIOUS OR MEDICAL OBJECTIONS UNDER THE LAW, THEY MUST BE SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT PREVENT YOU FROM GETTING THE VACCINE BUT LABOR ATTORNEYS ARE THIS DATA CLOSELY 44 PERCENT. LATEST ABC NEWS POLL TODAY SAYING THEY’D WAIT A BIT BEFORE TAKING THE VACCINE 15% SAYING THEY’D NEVER TAKE IT. EVEN IF IT’S YOU KNOW, 10 PERCENT 15 PERCENT IS AN EMPLOYER REALLY PREPARED TO TERMINATE THAT MANY EMPLOYEES PROBABLY NOT SO THAT’S WHY I THINK EMPLOYERS ARE PROBABLY WELL SUITED TO CONSIDER. IS IT NECESSARY? THAT’S RANDY STEVENSON FROM OMAHA FIRM BAIRD HOME. HE’S BEEN RECOMMENDING TO EMPLOYERS WHO DON’T NEED VACCINATIONS TO OPERATE THE BUSINESS THAT THEY MIGHT ACTUALLY WANT TO CONSIDER AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM INSTEAD LIKE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS OR EVEN BONUSES FOR VACCINATION EMPLOYER VACCINE MANDATES IF THEY EVER HAPPEN OR STILL WEEKS, MAYBE MONTHS AWAY
Can your boss make you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Labor attorney weighs mandates vs. incentives as U.S. vaccine rollout begins
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Updated: 10:40 PM CST Dec 14, 2020
Yes, your boss can make you get the COVID-19 vaccine.The case law is clear."Absent an employee's religious objections, or for some medical reason they can't get the vaccine, employer's can require the vaccine," said Randy Stevenson, an employment attorney at Omaha firm Baird Holm.Even then, any specific religious objections must be "sincerely held" and medical reasons well-documented, according to guidance on the topic.But there's apprehension among the American public about the vaccine.In the latest ABC News/Ipsos poll released Monday, 44% said they'd "wait a bit" before taking the shots. Fifteen percent said they'd never take the COVID-19 vaccine at all."Even if it's 10 or 15%, is an employer really prepared to terminate that many employees? Probably not," Stevenson said. "So I think that's why employers are probably well-suited to ask are necessary."Instead of threats, Stevenson thinks incentives might be a better way to get compliance.Some workplaces might offer reductions on health insurance premiums or cash bonuses for vaccination."It's not the same for every workforce, but if the employer knows of something that will motivate employees, something that's motivated them in the past to do something they otherwise weren't willing to do, they can certainly go for that, he said.John Delany, a former Congressman from Maryland, suggested a $1,500 cash incentive for Americans to get vaccinated in a November Washington Post op-ed.
OMAHA, Neb. — Yes, your boss can make you get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The case law is clear.
"Absent an employee's religious objections, or for some medical reason they can't get the vaccine, employer's can require the vaccine," said Randy Stevenson, an employment attorney at Omaha firm Baird Holm.
Even then, any specific religious objections must be "sincerely held" and medical reasons well-documented, according to guidance on the topic.
But there's apprehension among the American public about the vaccine.
In the latest ABC News/Ipsos poll released Monday, 44% said they'd "wait a bit" before taking the shots. Fifteen percent said they'd never take the COVID-19 vaccine at all.
"Even if it's 10 or 15%, is an employer really prepared to terminate that many employees? Probably not," Stevenson said. "So I think that's why employers are probably well-suited to ask [if mandates] are necessary."
Instead of threats, Stevenson thinks incentives might be a better way to get compliance.
Some workplaces might offer reductions on health insurance premiums or cash bonuses for vaccination.
"It's not the same for every workforce, but if the employer knows of something that will motivate employees, something that's motivated them in the past to do something they otherwise weren't willing to do, they can certainly go for that, he said.
John Delany, a former Congressman from Maryland, suggested a $1,500 cash incentive for Americans to get vaccinated in a November Washington Post op-ed.
