{"id":7063,"date":"2021-10-26T12:06:41","date_gmt":"2021-10-26T16:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/env-8605394.mightybox.site\/?post_type=news&p=7063"},"modified":"2024-09-24T13:23:43","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T17:23:43","slug":"new-eeoc-faqs-on-requests-for-religious-exceptions-to-employer-covid-19-vaccine-mandates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techservealliance.org\/new-eeoc-faqs-on-requests-for-religious-exceptions-to-employer-covid-19-vaccine-mandates\/","title":{"rendered":"New EEOC FAQs on Requests for Religious Exceptions to Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On Oct. 25, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued six new answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs<\/a>) about how employers should handle employee requests for religious exceptions to their workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The FAQs address rules that apply to this type of request under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), which is a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on religion and other protected traits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Compliance Bulletin provides the six new FAQs below. Employers that are subject to Title VII and other federal fair employment laws should not only become familiar with these FAQs but also review the EEOC\u2019s full guidance on COVID-19 and federal fair employment laws. The EEOC initially issued that guidance on March 18, 2020, and updated it several times since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An employer is subject to Title VII if it has 15 or more employees. Smaller employers may be subject to similar rules under applicable state or local laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACTION STEPS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All employers should follow the most current guidelines and suggestions for maintaining workplace safety issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC) and any applicable state or local health agencies. Employers with 15 or more employees should also become familiar with and follow the guidance provided in all of the EEOC\u2019s FAQs about compliance with federal fair employment laws. These and all smaller employers should also ensure that they comply with all applicable state and local anti-discrimination laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HIGHLIGHTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccine Mandate Exemptions for Religious Beliefs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EEOC\u2019s new FAQs clarify, among other things, that employers with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n