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CDC – Federal Agencies Can Require COVID-19 Testing for Employees

NextGov – “The Biden administration has issued guidelines for agencies to test their workers for COVID-19, spelling out when widespread testing is appropriate and confirming that federal offices can mandate employee testing.  Federal employees who have a testing requirement to enter their workplace and refuse can face “consequences,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, though it did not specify what those might look like and said all facets of testing policy were up to individual agencies. CDC issued the guidance in response to an executive order from President Biden, emphasizing it consisted of strategies for agencies to consider rather than policy requirements.  CDC noted the Americans with Disabilities Act allows for employer-mandated testing of workers if it is “job related and consistent with business necessity,” and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has deemed it acceptable to make COVID-19 testing a condition to enter a workplace. Agencies must have an employee’s consent to administer a test and predetermine any consequences for those who decline. CDC encouraged federal agencies to “consider providing alternatives as feasible and appropriate” for employees who do not agree to tests, such as reassigning them duties that can be completed remotely…” [h/t Pete Weiss]

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