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UPDATE - Vaccine Policy Considerations for Employers

Client Alert

If you read our post from November, you’re already an informed employer. This first post of 2021 is to share good news, give a few updates, and answer some other common questions.

Q:        What’s the Good News?

First, the EEOC confirmed that employers may require employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Second, polling indicates that the number of Americans who said they will receive a vaccine has increased from around 63% to over 71%. The number of Americans who are strongly opposed to a vaccine is about 27%.

Third, initial returns show that the efficacy rate for certain vaccines is as high as 95% for some at-risk recipients.

Q:        Can Employers Adopt a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy?

A:        Yes (with a few qualifications)

Employers can require employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Before implementing a mandatory vaccination policy, employers must account for a few legal and policy considerations, including:

  • Exceptions/accommodations for disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Exceptions/accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
  • Collective bargaining with employees represented by unions.
  • Avoiding “protected concerted activities” issues in union and non-union workplaces where 2 or more employees discuss or oppose mandatory vaccination policies.
  • Potential workers’ compensation claims for adverse reactions to the vaccination.
  • Exceptions for pregnant/nursing mothers.

We have been advising clients on the differences between a “strongly encouraged” policy and a “mandatory” policy depending upon the workplace.

Q:        Can We Require Proof of Vaccination?

A:        Yes

You can ask or require employees to show proof of vaccination. (a Certificate of Vaccination Identification a/k/a COV-ID.)

Be careful that the information from employees does not include any personal medical information beyond the proof of vaccination. Employers should also be cautious about asking employees why they did not receive a vaccine because it could be viewed as a disability-related inquiry. 

Q:        What is the Exception/Accommodation Process?

A:        An individualized process reviewing the request and determining whether an accommodation is reasonable.

The two (2) legal evaluations for all employers are Religious Exceptions and Disability Accommodations which may exempt employees from mandatory vaccinations. Employers may need to accommodate the sincerely held religious beliefs of employees if vaccination legitimately offends those religious beliefs. Employers may also need to provide a reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities where the vaccination could impact underlying medical conditions. 

Employers must perform an individualized accommodation evaluation for exceptions to a mandatory vaccine policy because of disabilities or religious beliefs. The same evaluation process can be used for other voluntary exceptions the employer decides to allow.

While the full evaluation process is complex, the basic analysis is for employers to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be implemented as compared against the significant risk of substantial harm caused by the direct threat of an unvaccinated employee.

Q:        What are Reasonable Accommodations?

A:        Anything that can reduce/eliminate the direct threat of risk to other employees, customers, visitors.

The purpose of a COVID-19 Vaccine Policy is to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.  Depending upon your workplace and operations, this can be accomplished through remote work, isolating the unvaccinated employees by shift/location/duties, using masks, ventilation and physical barriers. Depending upon your other policies and workforce decisions, a temporary leave of absence could be considered.  The final alternative should be termination.

Q:        Can Employers Incentivize Vaccination?

A:        Sure

Non-union employers can implement any program to encourage vaccination, but keep in mind that 70%+ of your workforce already wants to receive the vaccine. Some vaccination encouragements by employers can include:

  • On-site vaccination administered by an employer or a third-party service. A vaccination is not a medical examination under the ADA.
  • HSA bonus contributions for vaccinated employees.
  • Granting paid time off for vaccination days.

As the vaccine process continues, the laws, rules, and guidance on vaccination policies will also continue to develop. Please call or email me (216.658.2323 jcmiller@bmdllc.com) with any questions or planning advice.


Corporate Transparency Act Overhauled: U.S. Entities No Longer Required to Report

The Department of Treasury has issued an interim final rule significantly altering the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). As of March 21, 2025, all U.S.-created entities and their beneficial owners are exempt from reporting requirements. Only non-U.S. entities registered to do business in the U.S. must still report, but they are not required to disclose U.S. citizen owners. Business owners should stay informed on these changes and consult legal counsel for compliance guidance.

ODM to Implement Medicaid Work Requirements: What Providers and Medicaid Expansion Recipients Need to Know

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has submitted a waiver to impose work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients. If approved, the new eligibility criteria will take effect on January 1, 2026. A federal public comment period is open until April 7, 2025.

Ohio Appellate Court Rules in Favor of Gender-Affirming Care

On March 18, 2025, the 10th District Court of Appeals in Franklin County ruled that Ohio’s House Bill (HB) 68, which restricts puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors seeking gender-affirming care, violates the Health Care Freedom Amendment and is therefore unenforceable. The court found that the law unlawfully interferes with parental rights and medical decision-making. The case, Moe v. Yost, has been remanded, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost intends to appeal.

HHS Revokes Public Comment Requirement on Certain Policy Changes

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revoked the Richardson Waiver, eliminating the requirement for public notice and comment on certain policy changes. This decision allows HHS to implement new policies more quickly, potentially affecting healthcare funding rules like Medicaid work requirements. While it speeds up policymaking, it also reduces opportunities for stakeholder input, raising concerns over transparency and unintended consequences for healthcare providers, states, and patients.

Don't Get Caught Dazed and Confused: Another Florida Court Weighs in on Employer Obligations to Accommodate Medical Marijuana Use

A Florida trial court ruled in Giambrone v. Hillsborough County that employers may need to accommodate off-duty medical marijuana use under the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA). This contrasts with prior rulings and raises new compliance challenges for employers. With the case on appeal, now is the time to review workplace drug policies.