OSHA withdraws its COVID 19 ETS as of 1/26 By Susan Barry, Jan 27, 2022 9:49:53 AM The Supreme Court blocked the federal requirement for COVID vaccines or testing earlier this month. Directly thereafter, OSHA revisited its own mandate-or-testing rule for large employers. And, as of yesterday, Jan. 26, 2022, OSHA withdrew their Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that would have required employers with at least 100 workers to require COVID vaccines or weekly testing for unvaccinated workers.
What does this mean for large employers and their employees? In announcing the withdrawal of the enforceable ETS, OSHA stated that it is still proposing that the details of the ETS be proposed as a permanent rule. OSHA is also making it a priority to focus on the establishment of a COVID-19 health care standard for workplaces and in their statement, OSHA echoed that it "strongly encourages vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace." Read more »
Is the remote work experiment over yet? By Susan Barry, Jan 25, 2022 4:02:21 PM At the height of the pandemic, remote workers accounted for almost 25% of the workforce. That number has decreased to 11.1% at the beginning of December 2021 (Bureau of Labor Statistics), only slightly down from the prior month's 11.3%. What started as an accommodation to keep businesses operating through local, state, and national lockdowns has become a permanent feature as we approach the post-pandemic economy of supply chain challenges, labor shortages, and rising wages. As Ben Wick reports in Business Insider "Preference isn't the only factor powering remote work's longevity. Omicron's rapid spread across the country has delayed return-to-office plans for companies like Google, Lyft, and Meta." While it's true that some companies' return-to-office plans had already been adjusted in reaction to the Delta variant - Omicron and the worsening labor shortage has led some companies to use remote/hybrid work arrangements and increased compensation to attract and retain employees. Most companies are also using this opportunity to ensure that their offices/facilities provide safe and healthy environments for employees, clients, and guests. We've updated our hugely popular guide for reopening your workplace. For additional tips and strategies, download Reopen Responsibly, A "New Normal" Guide for Safe and Healthy Workplaces. Read more »
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