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Breaking: President Biden Announces Mandatory Vaccines For Federal Workers & Large Employers

 

This evening, President Joe Biden announced the signing of an Executive Order which will require all federal workers to get the coronavirus vaccine rather than having the option to opt out and instead be routinely tested.  As well, he announced that he would instruct the Labor Department to draft an emergency rule that would require employers with 100 or more employees to require their employees be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.  (Notably, employers would be required to provide paid time off for vaccinations.)

The President, as readers might recall, had previously required federal workers get the vaccine or face routine testing and masking requirements.  However, that policy has abruptly ended as the White House takes further steps to increase vaccination numbers across the country.  The Executive Order also requires that all workers of federal contractors be vaccinated as well.

At this point, it is expected that there will be exemptions for religious or medical reasons.

While details are still being announced, I would suggest that workers and employers alike start taking steps to prepare for this seismic shift in policy.  And for those in HR that are going to deal with all of this…good luck.


For additional information:   https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/09/09/politics/joe-biden-covid-speech/index.html

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