COVID-19 Employer Resources

Please note – information on this page is for informational purposes and should not be regarded as legal counsel.  Samples, services and products have not been endorsed or vetted by EA .  Every organization has unique circumstances and use parameters and should vet for their own use and consult legal counsel as warranted.

Email questions to lisasabourin@eawm.net

Special Legal Briefing – Managing Medical and Religious Accommodation in Prep for OSHA ETS Vaccine Rule

Presenters are Partner Rob Dubault and Associate DeAndre’ Harris with Warner Norcross & Judd

Thursday September 30th from 8:30am – 9:30am

This briefing is intended to discuss the process for managing medical or religious accommodation from vaccine or other COVID issues.  If the OSHA ETS rules are released we will discuss during presentation.

Click Here to Register

OSHA To Require Employers With 100-Plus Employees to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines or Testing

Read more from Warner Norcross & Judd

We are currently working on scheduling or promoting a webinar on this topic when we have more details. And we are working with the Health Department and Mercy Health to determine the best access vaccines and appropriate tests.  Please check back here for updates and we will send a notice when we have more information.

Register Now for the 2021-2022 Season of EA Roundtables

HR Roundtable begins Thursday September 9th at 8:30am

This year Roundtables will be offered in a Hybrid Model.

To attend In-Person

Contact Trena Gould at trenagould@eawm.net or 231-759-0916

To attend Virtually

Click Here to register for the Zoom Link

As of 8/12

The CDC updated it’s mask recommendations on 7/28 – see the CDC Guidance here.

Today the MDHHS updated their (5/21) guidance – see here

8/12 Mask Poll Summary:
Thank you to the.71 companies that promptly responded to today’s poll regarding current mask policy in light of the CDC’s newest mask recommendations.  The responses are as follows:

Overall (56 mfg/25 Office/retail):

• 46 companies do not have a mask requirement; about 25% require masks for unvaccinated
• 10 companies are requiring masks of all employees
• 18 companies require them for all visitors, in common spaces and whenever 6’ cannot be maintained

Office and Retail (25):

• 11 companies do not have a mask requirement; about 25% require masks for unvaccinated
• 3 company is requiring masks of all employees and visitors
• 11 companies require them for all visitors, in common spaces and whenever 6’ cannot be maintained

Manufacturing/Industrial Companies (47):

• 36 companies do not have a mask requirement; about 25% require masks for unvaccinated
• 9 companies are requiring masks of all employees
• 7 companies require them for all visitors, in common spaces and whenever 6’ cannot be maintained
• 2 companies have required masks all along until they reach 70% or 75% vaccinated respectively
• 2 Companies are using the County Health transmission rates (7 day average) to determine if masks are warranted.  Both are using 10% to require masks.

See this sample policy and the sample language below

We have updated our MASK and other COVID policies due to Ottawa County’s COVID risk level now being designated to ‘Substantial’.  This means  that the CDC recommends that everyone in communities at this level or the ‘high’ level mask-up in all public places.  “Substantial” is defined either as 8 to 9.9% of tests positive or 50 – 99 cases per 100,000 persons during past 7 days.  It is believed the increase is due to the more contagious delta variant.  

We are following Ottawa County guidelines.  If the level changes and lowers back to ‘Low’ or ‘Moderate’ risk, we will announce mask policy changes.  If level should reach 10%, we may be under state mandates again?  

Therefore, until further notice, all employees (vaccinated or not) must wear masks inside building per Ottawa County recommendations.  Also whether inside or outside, 6-ft minimum distancing is required on COMPANY  property.  Handwashing should be increased as before, and keeping your work area sanitized for others who will be working in same area is a must.  

• If you are a machine operator, you may work at your equipment w/o a mask as before; however, if someone enters your space or you must leave your workstation, you are required to mask.
• If you work in an office whether in plant or front offices, you must mask if someone enters your office or you leave your office.
• Other plant workers who work alone can work w/o a mask as long as they maintain 6-ft or more; however, if approached by supervisor or others, or working closer than 6-ft, must mask-up immediately. 

As of 6/24 COVID Call

For most employers, most of COVID compliance issues have ended, please note:

• MIOSHA has adopted the federal OSHA temporary rules for Health Care
• Some MDHHS still apply in certain settings

Many employers have chosen to end the daily screenings; do not require masks; have started to remove barriers such as plexiglass; and have discontinued FFCRA pay. Most seem to have everyone back in person; however there were a few on a hybrid model.  There are a few employers still requiring masks for employees and visitors and a few are still doing entry screening.

We are discontinuing COVID zoom meeting.  Roundtables will begin in September.

We suggest every employer update their Pandemic Preparedness plan to current protocols.