HR Tip of The Week

HR Tip of the week: Can an Employer Require its Employees to be Vaccinated for COVID-19?

Yes, with some exceptions. The employer should (1) have an up to date Infectious Disease and Vaccinations policy, (2) be able to demonstrate that the required vaccines are job-related and consistent with business necessity (i.e. does failure to vaccinate constitute a direct threat to other employees) and (3) have an established process for the vaccinations (i.e. consider asking employees to seek vaccinations outside of workplace while showing proof or employer contracted).

There are exceptions to this including certain employee held disabilities or sincerely held religious belief.

Visit the EEOC to learn more about vaccination requirement, exceptions and reasonable accommodations related to employer mandated vaccinations.

HR Tip of The Week

2021 is in full swing and this weeks HR Tip is a checklist to help you ensure that not only does the year start off on the right foot, but stays that way the whole year long! Look over this checklist to prepare yourself and make sure you and your staff are up-to-date on all new information and guidelines!

•W2s must be post-marked by January 21st. Verify current address and contact information for current and former employees so that W2s are mailed to the correct location.
•Does your employee handbook include policies on infectious disease, time off including paid time off benefits, professional appearance, and social media?
•HR Compliance: Do your forms, file retention, and workplace policies align with the latest changes in employment law?
•Salary and Wage benchmarking – Missouri minimum wage increased to $10.30/hr for hourly employees. Are you doing all you can to avoid wage compression for long-term employees?
•Schedule training!
•Map out your HR strategy and initiatives for 2021!

Don’t forget HRA is here to assist with a variety of HR needs. Visit our website for information about training, handbook review, compliance and employee relations needs!

HR Tip of The Week

HR Tip of the Week: Employer Policies Can Change Your Holiday Plans (Be prepared before the holidays)!

The holiday season has already begun and amid a Covid-19 surge across the country, employers are taking extra measures to encourage employees to limit their potential virus exposure and to safeguard workplaces.

In general, companies may inquire about employee activities that may pose a threat to workplace safety. For example, employers may require employees to disclose any travel plans or recent trips, and can enforce recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or local health mandates for post-travel quarantine periods.

Some might also require employees to sign pledges stating they’ll keep celebrations small, wear a mask or even limit contact with people outside of their household.