On Feb. 1, ABC joined 41 trade associations in urging Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Charlotte A. Burrows to quickly issue guidance clarifying the extent to which employers may offer employees incentives to vaccinate without running afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws enforced by the EEOC. ABC and the other trade associations stated in the letter they are hopeful that the COVID-19 vaccines will provide a pathway to safely restart the economy and want to help facilitate and expediate the vaccinations process.

The letter stated, “Employer-provided incentives can assist governments in quickly and efficiently distributing vaccines. Legal uncertainty about providing such incentives, however, has many employers concerned over liability and has made them hesitant to act.”

“We therefore urge the EEOC to issue guidance providing clarification on the extent to which employers may offer their employees incentives to vaccinate,” stated ABC and the other trade associations.

All EEOC materials related to COVID-19 can be found on the EEOC website. The EEOC has also posted a Q&A document on What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.