Navigating New Ground: Texas Changes Rules on COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements at Work

Starting February 6, 2024, there’s a big change for employers in Texas. No longer can businesses of any size require their workers or people applying for jobs to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. No More Mandatory Vaccinations: If you run a business in Texas, you can’t tell your employees or job applicants that they must get vaccinated against COVID-19.
2. Can’t Punish for Not Vaccinating: You also can’t take any negative actions against someone just because they choose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This means you can’t fire them, refuse to hire them, or treat them badly for this reason.
3. Special Rules for Healthcare: If you’re in the healthcare field, like running a hospital or a clinic, things are a bit different. You can ask employees who aren’t vaccinated and work closely with patients to wear medical gear like masks and gloves to keep patients safe.

Next Steps for Employers:

1. Review Your Policies: Check your company’s rules and remove any that require COVID-19 vaccination. This includes looking at job ads and descriptions. Sometimes these things don’t get updated often, so make sure they are in line with this new rule.
2. Communicate Changes: Tell your employees about this change. It’s important that everyone understands the new rules and knows what’s expected.
3. Update Training and HR Materials: Make sure your human resources team is up-to-date. They need to know how to handle questions about COVID-19 vaccinations and be clear that these aren’t required anymore.
4. Stay Informed: Rules and laws can change. Keep an eye on the news and legal updates so you’re always following the latest guidelines.

For Texas employers, it’s time to adjust to this new rule about COVID-19 vaccinations. By taking these steps, you can make sure your business is following the law and treating everyone fairly.