UPDATE: Per a U.S. Labor Department statement: “On November 1, the Office of Management and Budget completed its regulatory review of the emergency temporary standard. The Federal Register will publish the emergency temporary standard in the coming days.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed vaccine rule mandate for employers with 100 or more employees was given to the Office of Management (OMB) on October 12, where it awaits final review. Since then, the U.S. Chamber, the National Retail Federation, the American Trucking Association and other retail industry leaders asked the Biden administration to give an additional 90 days before implementing the rule.
These businesses are concerned the rule will trigger resignations at establishments already facing shortages and amplify pressure as the holiday season approaches.
Officials at OMB have made no comments on the implementation period.
On a specific procedural note, the Indiana Chamber believes that employers impacted by the mandate should not have to pay for unvaccinated employees’ weekly COVID-19 testing since the vaccines themselves are widely available and free. State and national groups have strongly voiced this to the Biden administration, but OSHA unfortunately has a history of having employers bear the brunt of regulatory costs.
Like with everything about the mandate, it’s wait and see.
But the wisest thing for affected employers is to keep preparing. The Indiana Chamber and our Wellness Council of Indiana stand ready to offer assistance.
Resource: Mike Ripley at (317) 264-6883 or email: mripley@indianachamber.com
