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Compliance Newsletter
September 2021!
COVID-19 Changes in the Workplace!
Eva, the Compliance Diva Answers your compliance Questions!
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The FDA Approves the Pfizer Vaccine
It's the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full authorization from the federal government. Experts hope the approval will encourage more unvaccinated people in the U.S. to get the shot, especially as the country experiences a surge in COVID cases largely driven by the Delta variant.
 
While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product.

ICE announces extension to new employee guidance to I-9 compliance flexibility

WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced an extension of the flexibilities in rules related to Form I-9 compliance that was initially granted last year. Due to the continued precautions related to COVID-19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will extend this policy until Dec. 31, 2021.
This extension will continue to apply the guidance previously issued for employees hired on or after April 1, 2021, and work exclusively in a remote setting due to COVID-19-related precautions.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Extends the EEO-1 Reporting for the Final Time October 25, 2021!
On August 18, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that the prior August 23, 2021, EEO-1 filing deadline for the 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 reports has been moved to October 25, 2021. The EEOC cited the “continuing impact of the pandemic on business operations” as the justification for this two-month extension of the earlier deadline. This extension follows a prior extension announced on June 28, 2021.

The EEOC’s most recent announcement makes it clear that October 25, 2021, “is the FINAL DEADLINE” (emphasis in original) and that “[n]o additional changes to the filing deadline will be made.” This may mean that the 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 platform will permanently close after October 25.

For more information on submitting the EEO-1 report click on EEO-1 Reporting
The Food & Drug Administration Approved the Pfizer Vaccine



On August 23, 2021, the FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals. 
  • It's the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full authorization from the federal government. Experts hope the approval will encourage more unvaccinated people in the U.S. to get the shot, especially as the country experiences a surge in COVID cases largely driven by the Delta variant.
  • While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product.
  • Research has indicated that more employees will take the vaccine now that the FDA has approved the vaccine.
  • However, there are still challenges for Employers who want employees and stakeholders to be vaccinated but there are some state legislations in place and pending that prohibit Employers from mandating vaccines in the workplace.  

Eva the Compliance Diva
is back by popular demand to answer your HR Compliance questions! Questions are based on inquiries by Employers, Managers and Professionals!

Inquiry: Hi Eva, thanks for selecting my question. I am an HR Manager working in multi-site location. We have over 350 employees. We are considering having a vaccine program but we are not sure whether to have a mandated vaccine or voluntary program. What do you recommend as best practice and what are the risks of either program?
Whitney, HR Manager

Eva's Response: Hi Whitney, thanks for taking the time to reach out to me with your inquiry. Vaccine programs are now more than ever changing on a regular basis. It is not easy to navigate all the changes. The decision to have any type of vaccination program there are many issues to consider. First, you need to consider any industry standards and obligations, State requirements and company consideration. Read More

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By Margie Faulk, PHR, SHRM-CP
HR Compliance Advisor/Speaker/Trainer
Margie helps Businesses, Employers and HR professionals reduce risk when dealing with workplace issues via Seminars, Webinars and other Compliance HR services. If you want further information about workplace compliance and other resources and tools, contact Margie Faulk, PHR, SHRM-CP at mfaulk@hrcompliance.net
For more information about the impact of Workplace Compliance Regulations, please subscribe to my website at www.hrcompliance.biz and receive updated compliance alerts, webinar notices and information on compliance resources! 
Margie Faulk, PHR, SHRM-CP
HR Compliance Advisor/Speaker/Trainer
mfaulk@hrcompliance.net
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