On November 4, 2021, the Biden administration announced two new rules which implement vaccine mandates in the workplace.

OSHA Rule Impacting Employers with 100 or more Employees

The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its emergency temporary standard (ETS) which details the requirement for employers with 100 or more employees to ensure each of their workers is fully vaccinated or tests for COVID-19 on at least a weekly basis. The OSHA ETS will also require that these employers provide paid-time off for employees to get vaccinated, and ensure all unvaccinated workers wear a face mask in the workplace.

The following guidance related to OSHA’s ETS is available for review:

CMS Rule Impacting Health Care Workers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at the Department of Health and Human Services issued an interim rule which requires health care workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid to be fully vaccinated.

The following guidance related to CMS’ interim rule is available for review:

Laner Muchin is dedicated to providing practical, legal advice for your workplace during this ever-changing regulatory landscape. Here is a link to a presentation hosted by Laner Muchin attorneys Peter Gillespie and Brian Jackson which addresses vaccine policies in the workplace and offers initial thoughts and reactions to the ETS.