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Providing People Solutions |
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Providing People Solutions |
Recently, HR Partners has received several questions related to employers incentivizing employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
On January 7, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued proposed regulations governing wellness programs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”). The new guidance states that employers generally may not offer more than “de minimis” incentives to take part in an employer’s wellness program that asks participants to provide medical information.
How does this relate to incentives for employees willing to receive the vaccine as part of an employer wellness program? The EEOC has not offered a specific definition of “de minimis”, however, they do offer examples of qualifying incentives: water bottles or gift cards of modest value.
Additionally, there is a “safe harbor” provision which creates exceptions for certain incentives related to health-contingent wellness programs that are part of or qualify as group health plans, such as premium discounts. The proposed rule interprets the safe harbor as permitting health-contingent wellness programs that are part of, or qualify as, group health plans to offer the maximum allowed incentive under the 2013 HIPAA regulations (currently thirty percent (30%) of the total cost of coverage or fifty percent (50%) to the extent the wellness program is designed to prevent or reduce tobacco use), as long as they comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) requirements for such plans.
Currently, the EEOC’s proposed rule is not final, and is currently open for public comment. More guidance is expected once the rule is finalized.
Until the rule is finalized, and until the vaccine is readily available to the public, HR Partners recommends that employers only encourage, but not incentivize employees to receive the vaccine.
As part of our ongoing support of the Topeka Community, we would like to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on Channel 27 News and their weekly Veteran Salute segment.
This week, Channel 27 highlighted John Dietrick's service in Vietnam. To read the full article or watch the full interview, click on the image below or click here.
We are thankful to John, and all our Veterans, for their service!
Gina Stewart
Director, Information Management, Analysis and Reporting
Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation
"HR Partners provides a screening process when searching for candidates for a position. The phone screens save me valuable time and give me the information needed to decide whether to invite someone to our office for an in-person interview.
They also serve as a knowledgeable resource for up to date standards with HR issues. Two of the most significant improvements would be making the hiring process a breeze and having a resource to provide valuable feedback on HR issues. HR Partners allows you to continue to work on your mission, whatever it might be, while spending less time on HR issues. You have the confidence when hiring someone that they will have the skills/knowledge to the job well."
