Important Update: Court Reinstates OSHA Vaccination Mandate for Private Employers
Last Updated on December 22, 2021 by G. T. HR
On Friday Dec. 17, 2021 the 6th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals reinstated the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) federal emergency temporary standard (ETS) for COVID-19. The 6th Circuit decision reverses the stay ordered in November by the 5th Circuit and allows OSHA to resume ETS implementation and enforcement nationwide.
The ETS establishes a mandatory vaccination policy requirement for private employers with 100 or more employees. ETS opponents have already filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the 6th Circuit’s decision.
OSHA Response and Guidance
OSHA has published the following guidance regarding the reinstatement:
To account for any uncertainty created by the stay, OSHA is exercising enforcement discretion with respect to the compliance dates of the ETS. To provide employers with sufficient time to come into compliance, OSHA will not issue citations for noncompliance with any requirements of the ETS before January 10 and will not issue citations for noncompliance with the standard’s testing requirements before February 9, so long as an employer is exercising reasonable, good faith efforts to come into compliance with the standard. OSHA will work closely with the regulated community to provide compliance assistance.
What is the Impact on Employers?
The 6th Circuit’s decision suggests the ETS may survive its legal challenges. Employers subject to the ETS should monitor legal developments closely. They should also consider what measures they would need to adopt to be considered to have made reasonable, good faith efforts to comply if the Supreme Court upholds the ETS.
Update as of Monday, December 20th
Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked the Biden administration to respond to a flood of appeals seeking to temporarily halt the implementation of its vaccine mandate for big businesses. The appeals went to Kavanaugh because of geography – he oversees emergency appeals from the Sixth Circuit.
Kavanaugh set a deadline of 4 p.m. Dec. 30 for the Biden administration to respond to the appeals. It is possible the court will then take action on the case early in 2022.
Employers should be sure to communicate about the vaccine mandate. Read here:
How To Communicate About The Vaccine With Employees
Be sure to stay tuned to MyHRBuzz for more information as the situation unfolds.