Vaccinating the Workforce – Challenges for Multinational Employers

This excellent article from Baker McKenzie regarding the coronavirus vaccine challenges for multinational employers outlines key issues employers need to consider when applying a vaccination policy. They include accommodating medical conditions and or disabilities, accommodating different belief systems, human rights, personal injury, data privacy, as well as pay and leave considerations

An excerpt from the article:

Many businesses will be well versed on the issues that accompany workforce vaccination programs, most particularly those in healthcare. However, given the severe disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pressing need for the vaccine, more employers across other industries are likely to be considering the possibility of enforcing mandatory vaccinations among staff and how to treat workers who opt out of the vaccine. Could such individuals be prevented from doing certain types of work, from entering a workplace, or from being offered a job?
 
We expect that some governments are likely to want to intervene and offer some direction to employers as the vaccine becomes more readily available. In the US, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued regulatory guidance on this topic. Those authorities that already apply mandatory flu vaccination programs for certain types of workers or individuals may take the same approach with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Asinta Partners are keenly aware of employers’ needs for information concerning the COVID-vaccine and are tracking developments daily. This type of information will soon be published and regularly updated in an Asinta COVID-19 vaccine decision framework for employers which will be made available on Asinta.com. Expect this information to be published in the coming week or two.