Workplace policies
Emerging concerns
- Businesses confront the federal vaccine mandate. New York Times, November 9, 2021; New York Times
- Magazine journalists protest a mandatory return to the office. New York Times, November 9, 2021
- A court temporarily blocks the federal vaccine mandate. New York Times, November 6, 2021.
- US urges court not to block vaccine mandate on employers. New York Times, November 10, 2021.
Ethical principles
- Requirements for mandatory liberty-limiting and social distancing interventions should be imposed only in cases in which voluntary actions seem unlikely to be effective. CDC Ethics in Pandemic Flu
- Public health laws should provide authority for appropriate actions that might be necessary in the event of a public health emergency. WHO Ethics in Pandemic Flu
- Include appropriate publication of the public health law and educate the public on how to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law. APHA Code of Ethics, 4.6.5.
- A process should be in place for objections to be heard, restrictions appealed, and for new procedures to be considered prior to implementation. CDC Ethics in Pandemic Flu
- The public should be clearly informed that restrictions on personal freedom are anticipated, that these limitations may be important to the individual’s own protection, and that they are also necessary to limit the spread of disease throughout the community. CDC Ethics in Pandemic Flu
Recommendations and practices
- Federal mandate for COVID vaccination of federal employees. The Whitehouse, September 9, 2021.
- Companies mandating vaccines for all or some employees. NBC News, August 3, 2021.
Emerging concerns
- States are lifting restrictions before it is safe to do so, causing concern over workplace exposures. New York Times, March 10, 2021.
- Indoor dining and the expiration of mask mandates are associated with increasing daily case and death growth rates. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 12, 2021.
- Restaurants, gyms, cafes and other crowded indoor venues accounted for 8 in 10 new infections in the early months of the U.S. coronavirus epidemic. New York Times, November 10, 2020.
- Requiring vaccination for employees and customers presents an ethical dilemma for employers. New York Times, December 14, 2020.
- Screening and monitoring equipment is faulty and inaccurate. Washington Post, May 24, 2020.
- Safety protocols are unable to prevent an increasing number of cases at food processing plants. Washington Post, June 8, 2020.
Ethical principles
- Individuals should not be expected to take on risky work assignments during an infectious disease outbreak unless they are provided with the training, tools, and resources necessary to minimize the risks to the extent reasonably possible. WHO Ethics in an Outbreak
- Any professional or employment-based obligation to assume personal risk is contingent upon society’s fulfillment of its reciprocal obligations to workers. If the reciprocal obligations are not met, frontline workers cannot legitimately be expected to assume a significant risk of harm to themselves and their families. WHO Ethics in an Outbreak
- Ensure that reasonable alternative options are considered and evaluated, and that final public health policies and plans are designed to most effectively accomplish stated goals while minimizing the potential for harm. APHA Code of Ethics, 4.5.9.
- Ensure that public health policies and plans are sensitive to race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and other unique characteristics of individuals affected by the policies or plans. APHA Code of Ethics 4.5.11.
Recommendations and Practices
- OSHA’s March 2021 COVID-19 National Emphasis Program aims to increase inspection and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in highest risk industries. National Law Review
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance permits employers to require vaccination against COVID-19, though there are exceptions to this rule. NJ.com
- Business operation decisions should be based on the level of disease transmission in the community and readiness to protect the safety and health of employees and customers. Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019, CDC
- Follow federal and state, local, tribal, and/or territorial recommendations regarding the development of contingency plans for situations that may arise as a result of outbreaks. Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, OSHA
- Businesses are legally authorized to deny entry to individuals not wearing masks or face coverings in New York. State of New York
- Austin continues to require face masks despite the expiration of Texas’ statewide mask mandate. KHOU
Emerging concerns
- SARS-CoV-2 transmission primarily occurs through the air, but OSHA has not set air standards for workplaces. New York Times, February 17, 2021.
- Many essential workers express COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. National Public Radio, January 31, 2021.
Ethical principles
- Policies and procedures should be based on sound scientific evidence or on the best evidence available. In addition, the policy’s measures should reflect the severity of the situation while remaining as minimally invasive as possible. Indiana University
- Frontline workers should not be expected to expose themselves to risks that are disproportionate to the public health benefits their efforts are likely to achieve. WHO Ethics in an Outbreak
Recommendations and Practices
- Critical infrastructure employers have an obligation to manage the continuation of work and the return to work in ways that best protect the health of workers, their coworkers, and the general public. Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers, CDC
- Some states have implemented a phased approach based on data-driven metrics for their counties to determine when non-essential businesses may lawfully resume in-person operations. State of California, State of New York
- Ensure the safety of your building water system and devices after a prolonged shutdown by following the CDC Guidance for Building Water Systems, which describes 8 steps for reopening a business or building. Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019, CDC
Emerging concerns
- Infection numbers are not being disclosed at worksites. Newsy, May 29, 2020; New York Times, March 15, 2021.
- Corporate policies are not being consistently implemented, communicated, or enforced at some worksites. New York Times, April 2, 2020.
- Company communications are provided only in English. NBC News, April 23, 2020.
Ethical principles
- There is a commitment to transparency throughout the pandemic influenza planning and response process. CDC Ethics in Pandemic Flu
- Countries should develop community-specific communication and social mobilization strategies that are linguistically and culturally appropriate. WHO Ethics in Pandemic Flu
- See ethical guidelines in this Dashboard for Communicating with the Public.
Recommendations and Practices
- Inform employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019, CDC
- Coordinate with state and local health officials to obtain timely and accurate information to inform appropriate responses. Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019, CDC
- Make sure employees receive reliable information. Trusted sources include CDC and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Interim General Guidance for Businesses and Organizations, NCDHHS
- Communicate supportive workplace policies clearly, frequently, and via multiple methods. Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019, CDC