AT&T Requiring Employees to be Vaccinated, Upon Return to Office

Earlier this month, AT&T announced that its management employees will need proof of COVID-19 vaccination ahead of the company’s expected return to in-person facilities. In addition, the Telecom giant is expected to engage with unions to assert the rules applicable to union employees in regard to a vaccine mandate. The company communicated it would be making exceptions for employees unable to receive a vaccine, for medical or other reasons.

In response to the vaccine mandates put in place by many private corporations and government agencies, many employees have begun wondering if such action is legally justified. In short, yes. Employers reserve the right to require employees to be vaccinated, as this qualifies as a condition of employment, similar to a job qualification.

“Those who have a disability or a sincerely held religious belief may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under civil rights laws, so long as providing that accommodation does not constitute an undue hardship for the employer,” stated?Sharon Perley Masling, an employment lawyer leading the COVID-19 task force, at Morgan Lewis. However, employees who don’t meet that criteria and refuse to be vaccinated may need to leave their company.?

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