COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEOC Laws
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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has posted an article regarding What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.
Basically, the EEOC laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act, continue to apply during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they do not interfere with or prevent employers from following the guidelines and suggestions made by the CDC or state/local public health authorities about steps employers should take regarding COVID-19. Employers should remember that guidance from public health authorities is likely to change as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Therefore, employers should continue to follow the most current information on maintaining workplace safety. This includes evolving guidance found in the CDC publication, “Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People." Many common workplace inquiries about the COVID-19 pandemic are addressed in the CDC publication “General Business Frequently Asked Questions.”
Topics in this article include:
Disability-Related Inquiries and Medical Exams
Confidentiality of Medical Information
Hiring and Onboarding
Reasonable Accommodations
Pandemic-Related Harassment Due to National Origin, Race, or Other Protected Characteristics
Furloughs and Layoffs
Return to Work
Age
Caregivers/Family Responsibilities
Pregnancy
Vaccinations - Overview, ADA, Title VII, and GINA
Vaccinations – Title VII and Religious Objections to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
Retaliation and Interference
COVID-19 and the Definition of “Disability” Under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act
On March 27, 2020 the EEOC provided a webinar ("3/27/20 Webinar") which was recorded and transcribed and is available at www.eeoc.gov/coronavirus.
For additional information, please contact EEOC Headquarters, 131 M Street, NE, Washington, DC 20507.
202-921-3191
1-800-669-6820 (TTY)
1-844-234-5122 (ASL Video Phone)
Thank you.
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