With the news that COVID-19 vaccines will soon be available in
Wisconsin, employers are beginning to question whether they can-or
should-require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Although employers can mandate the COVID-19 vaccination as a
condition of employment, as discussed below, this may not be the
best choice for most employers.
When determining whether to implement a mandatory vaccination,
employers should assess the exposure risk inherent in the
workplace. For example, is it a high risk workplace, such as a
hospital or nursing home? Second, employers should consider the
effect of a mandatory vaccination program on workplace morale.
Recent polls show that a substantial portion of Americans are
concerned about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine and may be
unwilling to be vaccinated. Forcing employees to choose
between receiving a vaccine they consider unsafe and their jobs may
have serious consequences for the employer, including loss of
valued
