EEOC Issues Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic and Employer’s Responsibilities Under ADA, the Rehabilitation Act and Other EEOC Laws

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has issued guidance to employers on how to deal with certain employee-related issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has issued guidance to employers on how to deal with certain employee-related issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the EEOC guidance (in a frequently asked question format) addresses some of the following issues:

What information an employer may request from an employee who calls in sick in order to protect remaining work force
How employers may screen employees entering the workplace for COVID-19 symptoms
When an employer may take the body temperature of an employee
Maintaining confidentiality of medical information
Guidelines on hiring and onboarding of employees and COVID-19 related questions
Responsibilities of offering reasonable accommodations for individuals with recognized disabilities or preexisting conditions that may be impacted by COVID-19
Methods to screen employees returning to work after COVID-19 and when employers may require employees to wear protective gear

For the EEOC’s guidance, please visit - https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-and-ada-rehabilitation-act-and-other-eeo-laws

Employers, business owners and human resource professionals should review the EEOC’s guidelines to understand their legal duties during these challenging time periods. If you have questions on how the EEOC’s guidance applies to your workforce, please contact me at info@pomeroy-law.com.