Sample of Covid-19 Vaccination Policy

And here you are… yet with another Covid-related task. This time you need to write a vaccination policy. Aren’t you “sick” of Covid already? There is always something new and it is so hard to keep up with the latest developments. Well, this task doesn’t have to be so hard, take a deep breath, and use the generic policy below to customize to your company’s needs.

"COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Effective [Date]

Purpose

[Your Company] is committed to provide and maintain a safe place to work that is free of known hazards, therefore we have adopted this Vaccination Policy. The purpose of this Policy is to protect the health of [Your Company’s] employees and their families, the people and organizations receiving services from [Your Company], and the community at large by limiting the spread of COVID-19. It is intended to comply with federal, state and local laws, as well as guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health and licensing authorities, where applicable.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement (or Encouragement)
All employees are required (encouraged) to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by [Date] unless they have been granted a medical or religious accommodation (see definitions below), except where such a requirement (encouragement) is specifically prohibited by law. Additionally, all employees are required (encouraged) to follow CDC guidance on booster vaccinations. Employees who have been granted an exception to the vaccination requirement because of a medical or religious reason may be required to work remotely and/or be subject to health and safety protocols as defined by applicable laws.

All [Your Company’s] employees are required (encouraged) to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a request for a medical or religious accommodation by [Date]. [Your Company] will accept a vaccination card, immunization record, and/or any other official form of record from an administering provider verifying the employee's vaccination history as proof of COVID-19 vaccination. All vaccination records shall be treated as confidential medical records.

Any [Your Company's] employee hired after this Policy goes into effect must submit proof of vaccination or a request for a medical or religious accommodation by the employee's first day of employment with [Your Company].

Any [Your Company's] employee found in violation of this vaccination requirement will be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment with [Your Company] unless granted a medical or religious exemption.

Time Off for Vaccinations and Recovery
[Your Company] will pay for all vaccinations for its employees. COVID-19 vaccinations are currently free, regardless of an individual’s health insurance status. An employee should attempt to pay through their health insurance plan if they are required to pay for a COVID-19 vaccination. [Your Company] will fully reimburse all personnel for any co-pay related to COVID-19 vaccination costs that are not covered by the employees’ health insurance.

All employees will be compensated for any time necessary to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and for any time spent recovering from a COVID-19 vaccination. Employees are not required to use vacation leave, sick leave, or personal leave for this paid time off. Employees should work with their supervisors (manager) to schedule an appropriate time to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Any request for time off to be vaccinated or recover from vaccination shall not unreasonably be denied by [Your Company].

Any employee who provides false information regarding their vaccination status or accommodation eligibility will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment with [Your Company].

Reasonable Accommodations
Employees who would like to request an exemption from COVID-19 vaccinations for medical reasons or because of a sincerely held religious belief must provide [Your Company] with written documentation. Documentation must be submitted to [Name] [Title] [Department] by [Date] or within 30 days of initial employment with [Your Company] for new employees hired on or after the effective date of this Policy.

For medical exemptions, [Your Company] shall request additional supporting documentation from a medical professional. For religious exemptions, [Your Company] shall request additional supporting documentation from a religious official. Such documentation shall be handled confidentially to the extent allowed by law and used only for the purpose of granting a religious or medical exemption. Medical or religious accommodation shall be granted if it does not cause undue hardship to [Your Company] or threatens the health and safety of others. Any documentation of medical needs shall be treated as medical record under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Please direct any questions regarding this requirement to [Name] [Title] [Department]".

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular circumstances.