Press Releases
09/16/2021
CHRO Issues Guidance on Vaccine Mandates
HARTFORD, CT – The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) has issued new guidance today on COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The CHRO is the state agency tasked with enforcing employment discrimination law, including laws protecting those seeking an accommodation based on their disability or religion.
Many employers have contemplated requiring all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The issue has become more pressing after President Biden issued an Executive Order directing OSHA to promulgate regulations that require employers with over one hundred employees mandate vaccines.
The guidance states that vaccine mandates imposed by private employers are allowable under state law subject to requests for accommodation. Requests for accommodation can be based on a person’s disability or a protected religious belief. Employers should engage with employees to determine whether the requests can be granted while avoiding an undue hardship to its business, its employees, and consumers.
The CHRO is committed to helping employers and employees navigate these difficult issues. As the state adapts to new ways of doing business during the pandemic, it is important to do so safely while adequately considering employees medical issues and religious beliefs.
The new guidance is available at the Commission’s website at www.ct.gov/CHRO.
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Contact:
Michelle Dumas Keuler
Office: 860-541-3428
Email: michelle.dumaskeuler@ct.gov
Twitter: @CT_CHRO
Facebook: CT CHRO