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COVID-19 Employment Law Questions & Answers
Q: I am pregnant and my employer tells me I must take a covid-19 booster to keep my employment. Recommendation options?

I voluntarily took the vaccine last year before my pregnancy. Now that I am pregnant I do NOT feel safe taking any booster shots. There is no guarantee or evidence that can prove my unborn child will be safe from it and that my child won't have any health or medical complications from it now... View More

Maya L. Serkova
Maya L. Serkova
answered on Feb 8, 2022

If you have a closely held religious belief that prevents you from taking the vaccine, you will need to present that information to your employer. But keep in mind whether you claim a medical or religious exemption, the accommodation is still not automatic. The employer should try to accommodate... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for New Jersey on
Q: My employer is requiring everyone gets vaccinated against COVID but I recently heard SCOTUS denied President Biden's

Vaccine mandate. Based on this, can my employer still require my vaccination or weekly testing,?

Lisa I. Fried-Grodin
Lisa I. Fried-Grodin
answered on Jan 16, 2022

Yes. Employers in NJ are allowed to require employees to get vaccinated as a condition of employment regardless of how the Supreme Court ruled in the OSHA case. They are required to make exceptions for those who can't get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons. Many health care employers... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Civil Rights for Florida on
Q: Can my job force me to get a COVID-19 vaccination?

I am a remote worker based out of Tampa, Fl. I am assigned to a medical center in Barre, MA. I am actively trying to become pregnant and there is not enough data on how COVID can affect my pregnancy or child. Not to mention long term affects of the vaccine itself. As a healthy 30 year old female... View More

Jay P. Lechner
PREMIUM
Jay P. Lechner
answered on Nov 18, 2021

To clarify the previous responses, the Florida legislature has passed a bill that will prohibit a private employer from imposing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for any full-time, part-time, or contract employee without providing individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out on the basis... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for California on
Q: I received an email from my workplace regarding my religious exemption from the COVID 19 vaccine. I need advice

I literally received an email from my employer asking me to provide more info about my religious exemption and was told that I must respond within 3 calendar days and included a series of questions that I have to answer regarding my religious affiliation

Eva Zelson
Eva Zelson
answered on Oct 14, 2021

Your employer is within their rights to follow up on your request for a religious exemption to verify that it is a truly held religious belief. You should comply with their request for more information if you wish for them to grant you an exemption to their requirement for the Covid-19 vaccine.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for California on
Q: i NEED HELP WITH COVID VACCINE MANDATE WITH MY EMPLYEE
Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Sep 24, 2021

You have not really asked a question that can be answered. This Q&A board is not the place to solicit attorneys to work for you.

It sounds to me like you need to locate and consult with an employer-side attorney.

Generally speaking the employer of an at will employee can...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can an employer make me bring in a paper saying i’m Covid positive

I took an at home covid test which came back positive, can my employer require me to go to the doctor for proof on paper that I am positive. This is for unpaid quarantine

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Sep 22, 2021

This kind of problem is under laws that are specific to each state, and different. This could be an invasion of your privacy or violate some other local requirement. However, it could be a reasonable requirement from the employer to determine whether your absence was excusable for HR purposed..... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Civil Rights for California on
Q: I’m a federal employee and going to refuse the vaccine mandate. If fired, will this violate laws meant to protect me?

Vaccine presidential mandate.

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Sep 15, 2021

Mandatory vaccination is lawful. It has been since 1905 when the US Supreme Court issued its opinion in Jacobson v. Massachusetts. That decision, although old, has been cited to over 800 times and recently by our US Supreme court in the last two years. You will have no recourse if you refuse to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for California on
Q: What are proper steps to take ? Should I get a lawyer first?

So since working for employer I have had missing wages issues that never were addressed after a month of getting the run around I felt hopeless because the clock in were changing when I am well aware of my clock in times. Sunday was my normal schedule day and 4th of July landed on that day I was... View More

Niran Grimberg
Niran Grimberg
answered on Sep 14, 2021

Under California Labor Code 1102.5, if you complain to your employer about something you reasonably believe to be unlawful, and the employer retaliates against you (in this case terminated you), you may have a case for whistleblower retaliation. I would recommend seeking a free consultation with an... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for California on
Q: How do I request an exemption?

My employer has switched from voluntary to mandatory vaccination offering religious/medical exemptions.

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Sep 6, 2021

If you have a medical condition that prevents you from taking the vaccine, get a doctor's note indicating as much and present it to your employer.

If you have a closely held religious belief that prevents you from taking the vaccine, you will need to present that information to your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for California on
Q: Employer claims they do not have to pay me for hours I worked, my manager always approved my time card. Do they owe me?

During covid my hours and wage were adjusted, I was told verbally that my hours had been restored and proceeded to work a 40 hour week. My manager approved my time card for 7 months. The time tracking system sent me emails that said you are a full time employee and must submit for a 40 hour week.... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Aug 19, 2021

If you are an hourly employee you must be paid for all time you spend working for the employer. That is true regardless of what the employer tells you about what hours you are to work. While you can be disciplined and even terminated for working more hours than your employer instructed you to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Alabama on
Q: Can a company require covid restrictions at one location only when they own companies across 21 states?

They are only requiring corporate people to go home if unvaccinated. They do not require this for the entire company. If they fire someone would it be legal?

Nelson Craig Johnson
Nelson Craig Johnson
answered on Aug 16, 2021

In general Alabama is a right to work state and a person can be fired for almost any reason. It is also likely fine for them to institute this policy for Alabama only. The limitation would be if you are protected under the ADA to avoid receiving the vaccination due to some pre-existing health... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Is my employer required to pay me for my quarantine?

I'm unvaccinated and was exposed to Covid by a coworker at work. My job is requiring me to quarantine without pay for a minimum of 7 days. Are they allowed to withhold pay from me since I was exposed at work?

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Aug 15, 2021

By "making you quarantine" your employer is being responsible and doing what the law requires them to do to protect ALL their employees.

Regarding paying you: If you are a salaried employee or have a written employment agreement that speaks to this issue than your employer will...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Can my boss force me to wear a mask at work that says "Not Vaccinated" on it?
Jay P. Lechner
PREMIUM
Jay P. Lechner
answered on Aug 12, 2021

No. Information about an employee’s COVID-19 vaccination status is considered confidential medical information under the ADA. Additionally, under Florida law, every employer who provides health insurance benefits "shall maintain the confidentiality of information relating to the medical... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: After a job closes down after it’s spread of Covid and everyone were told not to come but without proof of negative test

And I was never scheduled after

So my question is can a job fire you for not showing up after telling you not to come w/o proof

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Aug 12, 2021

Yes. Why? Because Florida is an “at will” state, which means private employers are free to hire, promote, demote, suspend, reinstate, fire and rehire employees for any reason at any time, i.e., “at will.” The only thing employers cannot do is make any of these adverse employment decisions... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Can my employer require proof of COVID Vaccine in Florida if I have a medical condition?
Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Aug 9, 2021

Yes. However, if you have a diagnosed disability which a physician says makes you medically ineligible for the vaccine, and you are fired for not being vaccinated, you may have a potential disability discrimination claim, as well as a potential unemployment compensation claim. From what I've... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: Do I have any recourse against my employer for firing me for not getting the covid vaccine?

I have a medical condition that should be a contraindication to the vaccine; however, my employer disregards this and any other medical condition in their mandate of the vaccine. Should I resign or let them fire me? And do I have any recourse against them for it?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 8, 2021

You are in relatively uncharted waters. You may have an interesting case. But your biggest concern now should be what you are going to do to make ends meet between now and whenever your case gets resolved, which could be years.

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for New York on
Q: I got covid in January at work a coworker was sick and told management but they didn’t inform us I’m still sick.Help

Management didn’t inform the workers and I got sick . I’m still suffering from fatigue, headaches , hair thinning, teeth cracking and joint weakness I haven’t been able to get back to work fully I work once every two weeks because I get exhausted in the stores and can’t keep up. If I... View More

V. Jonas Urba
V. Jonas Urba
answered on Aug 6, 2021

Consult with a workers compensation lawyer immediately. Although it may be difficult to pinpoint where you contracted COVID, a skilled workers compensation lawyer might be able to tie it to your workplace. Good luck. Alternatively, if you have disabling conditions, ask your doctor about... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for California on
Q: Can an employer withhold promotions or raises because an employee is not vaccinated for Covid-19?

My employer violated HIPAA laws by asking why employees didn’t want to get vaccinated. They are telling our general manager they will not give a raise or promotion unless an employee is vaccinated.

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Aug 4, 2021

Yes an employer can withhold promotions and raises, and even terminate an employee, who refuses to vaccinate against Covid-19. And it is not a HIPAA violation to ask an employee about why they do not want to vaccinate. HIPAA does not regulate employees, only health care providers and insurance... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Does a manager have the right to shame employee for not getting the Covid-19 vaccine?

I live in Florida and where I work it is recommended but not mandatory to have the Covid-19 vaccine. However, every chance my manager gets she bashes me publicly in front of my coworkers and customers. Saying things such as “ you’re going to be the reason another catastrophe happens”. If the... View More

Jay P. Lechner
PREMIUM
Jay P. Lechner
answered on Aug 3, 2021

Good question. While a private employer is permitted to require employees to be vaccinated, information about an employee’s COVID-19 vaccination status is considered confidential medical information under the ADA. According to the EEOC, the ADA requires an employer to maintain the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Can I get fired for not getting the Covid vaccine?
Jay P. Lechner
PREMIUM
Jay P. Lechner
answered on Jul 25, 2021

Under Florida law, private employers generally may require employees to be vaccinated as long as accommodations are made for disability or religious objections, as recently described by EEOC. Under federal law, there have been recent challenges under 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3, which addresses the... View More

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