The Employer Handbook Blog

Could you spot your employee’s phony COVID-19 vaccination card? Ok, then what?

September 1, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Whoisjohngalt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General alerted the public about a variety of COVID-19 scams, ranging from fake contact tracers COVID-19 survey scams asking for all sorts of personal information (e.g., Medicare number, financial information) to offers to sell fake vaccination cards.

Yesterday, NY busted a fake COVID-19 vaccination card scam.

A Florida doctor can no longer see patients allegedly after selling $50 mask waivers on Facebook

August 31, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

It’s tough enough dealing with employees who submit shady doctor notes to avoid masks or getting a COVID-19 vaccination. (I find that letterhead printed on a Saltine is a dead-bang giveaway.) But, what happens to the doctors that write these opt-out letters?
Continue reading

A bunch of attorneys — an ENTIRE BAR ASSOCIATION! — says that ALL EMPLOYERS should REQUIRE vaccinations for COVID-19

August 30, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

On Friday, the New York State Bar Association announced its recommendation that every employer in the state require that all workers get vaccinated for COVID-19, except those with legitimate medical conditions or religious concerns. Continue reading

Wait! You mean we can raise insurance premiums for unvaccinated employees?

August 27, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by Brett Hondow from Pixabay

Earlier in the week, you may have heard the news about a company assessing unvaccinated employees a $200 surcharge to offset the rising costs of health insurance attributable to COVID-19. Continue reading

Imagine testing positive for cocaine at work … and getting to keep your job?!?

August 26, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

A little Thursday lesson on the importance of consistency, precise language, and following your rules. Continue reading

I’ve got poll results on mandatory vaccinations. Plus, hold September 1 at Noon ET for the next Zoom!!!

August 25, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by torstensimon from Pixabay

Since the FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, President Biden has asked employers to mandate employee vaccinations. The American Medical Association has echoed the sentiment.

But are more employers really ready to require COVID-19 vaccinations? Continue reading

FDA approves the first COVID-19 vaccine. Is your business ready to mandate vaccinations? (POLL)

August 24, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Arne Müseler / www.arne-mueseler.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons

Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it had approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine as the first COVID-19 vaccine.

Could changing someone’s shift schedule really create a discrimination claim?

August 23, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Micthev, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

I have a not-so-hypothetical situation for you. Let’s see how you handle it.

Another EEO-1 Limerick

August 20, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Book Poetry by Wolf Böse from the Noun Project

Bloggerdome entry: 19 Aug 2021, 11:05 PM.

I knew it was a mistake to indulge in that second growler of Rosé. Continue reading

Eric, I heard something about COVID-19 booster shots. Do we need provide employees PTO for that?

August 19, 2021 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by torstensimon from Pixabay

Yesterday, the CDC announced that a COVID-19 booster shot would be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability. Not coincidentally, multiple news outlets, including NBC News (here), report that the U.S. will begin to provide Covid-19 booster shots to all Americans beginning the third week of September.

So, now seems as good a team as any for a refresher course on the employer’s legal obligations regarding employees taking time off from work to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Continue reading