The pandemic is still something that our world is struggling with. With vaccine mandates being put in place in various parts of the country right now, many household employers are wondering if they too can require their employees to get the Covid vaccine. The short answer is yes, but there are some limitations that you should be aware of.
As of December 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission changed guidelines for the vaccine, allowing employers to require it. However, even though you can have a policy requiring employees to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, you must remember that you must include an exemption on the grounds of religion (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and disability (American with Disabilities Act, ADA).
Not sure what you should do? Our team at Household Staffing can help answer some questions regarding this issue. We also partner with payroll and tax companies that are the experts on labor and tax laws that surround the innerworkings of household employment. No matter what: we want both you and your employees to be safe, and we want to help ensure you navigate all government guidelines with clarity.
If you already have a team of household staff working for you, it is usually a good idea to open dialogue with them about this topic. With many opinions on the subject, it is important to keep a line of communication going. Some of your employees may have already received the vaccine, others may be opposed to it, and it may be something that they are not willing to get. Navigating this conversation with compassion and a genuine listening ear is an important part of ensuring that your employees feel respected and heard.
If you haven’t hired a household employee yet, but you anticipate starting your hiring search soon, you can consider adding Covid vaccination as part of the job requirement. For more details regarding your specific employment situation, contact our team at Household Staffing today.
