On November 10, 2021, revised versions of the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors and accompanying contractor FAQs were posted on the Safer Federal Workforce website. The new guidance incorporates the current deadline for covered contractor employees to receive their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine: January…
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On November 12, 2021, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered federal OSHA not to implement or enforce its COVID-19 (coronavirus) emergency temporary standard (ETS) until a full judicial hearing can be held. As we previously reported, OSHA published the ETS on November 5, 2021, requiring employers with 100…
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November 4, 2021 OSHA announced its long-awaited COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS), directing employers with 100 or more employees to require their employees to be vaccinated or else submit to weekly testing. The official rule will be effective immediately upon its publication on November 5, 2021, but covered employers will…
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Question: My employee says they tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). There have been so many changes to the requirements that I’m not sure what I should do anymore. Please help! Answer: Start with current federal guidance and then check your state and local requirements. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web page on…
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On November 1, 2021, new FAQs for federal contractors subject to President Biden’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine mandate (Executive Order 14042) appeared on the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force website. Here are some highlights from the FAQs: Pending accommodation requests: It’s okay if you’re still reviewing requests for accommodation due to disabilities or sincerely held…
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Cal/OSHA recently updated the FAQs for its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to allow a shortened quarantine period for unvaccinated workers who are exposed to the virus. The ETS, which took effect on June 17, 2021, requires most unvaccinated workers who are exposed to COVID-19 (coronavirus) to quarantine for at…
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On September 28, 2021, California’s Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an order expanding mandatory COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines in the health care industry to include workers in adult and senior care facilities and in-home direct care settings. The order, Adult Care Facilities and Direct Care Worker Vaccine Requirement, says these workers must…
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According to news reports, federal OSHA submitted its draft COVID-19 (coronavirus) emergency temporary standard (ETS) to the Office of Management and Budget on October 12, 2021. As we previously reported, President Biden ordered OSHA to draft the ETS, requiring employers with 100 or more employees to ensure workers are vaccinated…
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The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) raced to secure financial settlements from federal contractors at the close of the agency’s 2021 fiscal year, which ended on September 30, 2021. After conducting routine affirmative action audits of selected companies, the OFCCP alleged discriminatory practices in compensation and hiring. Each of the…
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On September 24, 2021, the Biden administration released guidance on the new vaccine mandate for federal contractors, entitled COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors. The new guidance implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, issued by President Biden on September 9, 2021.…
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