With two weeks until California drops all COVID-19 restrictions, the rules on workplace vaccination requirements and mask wearing remain a bit fuzzy.
Last Friday, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released guidelines that said employers can require COVID-19 vaccinations of workers and they can offer incentives, provided they're not coercive.
But, if someone doesn't want to get inoculated, there have to be safety provisions made. California, however, is still waiting for Cal/OSHA to vote on revised standards this week that would allow businesses to relax social distancing - not on June 15 like the state plans, but on July 31.
Mask requirements don't sunset until then, too.
Businesses will have to keep proof of workers’ COVID-19 vaccination status on file.
"Most employers are simply going by the honors system, asking employees to divulge information regarding whether they’re vaccinated or not," said Walter Stella, a San Francisco employment attorney. "Other employers are requiring proof of vaccination. Both of which are questions that we can ask…It’s a little unclear. I think employers don’t want to be the police."
That Cal/OSHA vote is expected this Thursday.
The tougher standards could be in effect until early next year.
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