Denise Hill Talks to KCCI TV-8 About COVID-19 Vaccine for Employers
Denise Hill, a Whitfield & Eddy Law Of Counsel attorney, was interviewed by KCCI 8 News on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 about whether Iowa employers can require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The video may be seen at this link.
Denise Hill said that private employers of at will employees do have the right to set conditions for which their employees are going to work. There are exceptions including sincerely held religious belief and medical contraindication. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers can ask for validation, such as a doctor's note, and must provide reasonable accommodations. This could require employees to work from home, wear a mask in the office, or may determine an unvaccinated worker creates an undue hardship.
She said a dialogue with employees about access, interest, and organizational mission and purpose is important.
Contact your Whitfield & Eddy Law attorney for guidance appropriate to your business.
Regulatory guidance on this topic is rapidly evolving. For a more recent update, click to visit Employment Law Update: COVID-19 Vaccines (12/21/2020).