Breaking: Vaccine Mandate for Private Employers Forthcoming

September 9, 2021

Christopher Morehead - Tonkon Torp LLP

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The Biden Administration is set to announce sweeping COVID-19 vaccination requirements that will affect large employers and millions of employees across the country. The mandate extends to all employers with more than 100 workers, requiring such employers to ensure their workers are either vaccinated or, alternatively, tested for the virus on a weekly basis. Further, the mandate will require that workers at healthcare facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid are also fully vaccinated. This news follows on the heels of reports earlier today that President Biden will also be signing an executive order requiring all employees of the executive branch and the contractors who do business with the federal government to either be vaccinated or test out.

The mandate applicable to private employers with 100 or more workers will reportedly be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties of $14,000 per violation. In addition, covered employers will reportedly have to provide paid time off for employees to comply with the vaccination and/or testing requirement. It is not presently clear when these rules will go into effect.

Tonkon Torp will continue to provide updates on these breaking developments as they unfold.

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Tonkon Torp LLP is a leading business and litigation law firm serving public companies, substantial private enterprises, entrepreneurial businesses, and individuals throughout the Northwest. For more information, visit tonkon.com.