Brian Mullin and Sherelle Wu Write “Can Higher Education Institutions Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines for Employees?” for the New England Board of Higher Education
The New England Board of Higher Education has published “Can Higher Education Institutions Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines for Employees?” by Brian Mullin and Sherelle Wu. As more COVID-19 vaccines get approved, higher education institutions should prepare for how they will handle vaccination on their campuses if they have not already done so. Brian and Sherelle discuss if higher education institutions can mandate COVID-19 vaccines for their employees and what to do if an employee requests an exemption.
Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), employers have an obligation to provide a safe workplace free from serious recognized hazards and should do their part to encourage compliance with governmental health and safety guidelines.
In practice, however, HEIs should be aware that staff may be entitled to medical exemptions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and religious exemptions under Title VII. Institutions should have a uniform policy for staff to apply for such exemptions.
Continue reading “Can Higher Education Institutions Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines for Employees?” on the New England Board of Higher Education website.
Categorized: Publications
Tagged In: ADA, coronavirus, COVID-19, higher education, New England Board of Higher Education, OSHA, Title VII, vaccine, vaccine mandate
