COVID-19 Vaccination Policies, Worker Organizing Task Force, Whistleblowing Increases

It’s #WorkforceWednesday! This week, we discuss how employers are navigating COVID-19 vaccination policies and new worker organization and whistleblowing risks.

Legal Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination Policies

While the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that employers can institute mandatory vaccination policies, there are many legal considerations that come with those policies, especially as more employees return to work. And employers that do not mandate vaccines are wondering what workplace rules they can implement without legal risk. Attorneys Jennifer Barna and Nathaniel Glasser tell us more. You can also read more about the legal considerations of mandating vaccination.

Worker Organizing Task Force Created

Last week, President Biden followed up on his promises to support union organizing by signing an Executive Order on Worker Organizing and Empowerment. The order creates a task force whose purpose is to strengthen unions and make it easier for workers to unionize. Learn more.

Employers Face Increased Whistleblower, Retaliation Risks

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of exposure to whistleblowing and retaliation claims has increased significantly for all employers. The risk is particularly acute in highly regulated industries, like health care. Listen to our most recent Diagnosing Health Care podcast for more.

Other Highlights

Unemployment Insurance Fraud Increasing Amid COVID-19

Employers are seeing a rise in unemployment insurance fraud amid COVID-19. How can businesses help spot this fraud and report it to the U.S. Department of Labor and other authorities? Listen to Legal Talk Today’s podcast interview with attorney Steve Swirsky.

May Immigration Update

India has been added to the list of countries subject to a direct travel ban due to COVID-19. And the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced reinstatement of a 2004 adjudication policy that gives deference to prior determinations of H-1B and L-1 eligibility when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts as the initial petition or application. Read more.