As we begin a third year of the pandemic, the introduction of federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates continues to fuel conversation, controversy, conflict, and challenges in the nation’s courts. Against this emotionally charged and sometimes volatile backdrop, significant legal issues continue to evolve, including those which surround requests for exemption from federal vaccine mandates based on sincerely held religious beliefs. From mid-sized employers to corporate boardrooms, healthcare providers and institutions of higher education, the need to understand the complexities of this environment cannot be overstated.

This webinar will feature a timely and in-depth exploration of the three key federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates from the employment law, healthcare industry and higher education perspectives, with a focus on the current status of each mandate and the legal issues surrounding requests for exemption from those mandates due to religious beliefs.

The agenda for this program will address the following actions taken by the federal government to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory:

The components and compliance criteria of each mandate

The current legal status and/or legal challenges to each mandate

Historical perspective on opposition to vaccines based upon individual liberties and constitutional rights

The legality of religious exemptions and related practical and constitutional issues

Definition of “sincerely-held religious beliefs” and how employers may respond to exemption requests in order to determine if exemption is appropriate

The inconsistency of federal rules and their impact on the workplace and employee management

How the mandates may potentially impact employers of varying sizes

A look at how certain employers have responded to other requests for COVID-19 vaccination exemptions, such as those made for medical reasons

The unique challenges faced by institutions of higher education when implementing federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates, and when accommodating student and employee requests for religious and medical exemptions