Effective March 10, 2021, Governor Abbott has lifted the #mask mandate for Texas and announced that #businesses of any type will be allowed to open at 100%.
The main priority following this announcement is still doing whatever you can to assure the highest #safety measures in the workplace. Some of the questions that you may be asked by your employees are:
1. Will we be required to continue to wear a mask at the office?
2. Will everyone be expected to #report back to the office?
3. Will we be required to get a #coronavirus vaccine?
4. How will leave be handled should I test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms and do not feel well enough to work?
What are some of your answers to these questions?
eESI Plan of Action:
Will we be required to continue to wear a mask at the eESI offices?
- We will continue to follow the CDC guidelines and local mandates on this issue. We ask that you maintain public health measures such as masking when maintaining a physical distance is not possible and staying home if you have any symptoms related to COVID-19. Be mindful that you should adhere to the policies of the places and cities in which you visit. For example, Austin announced that they would keep the mask mandate despite Governor Abbott’s announcement.
Will everyone be expected to report back to the eESI office?
- Those that are teleworking may continue to do so. We will continue to monitor the vaccine roll-out and reevaluate in June. Any changes to the telework program will be announced in advance.
Will eESI require that employees get a coronavirus vaccine?
- The EEOC recently indicated that an employer might require a COVID-19 vaccination of employees with certain exemptions; however, we are not mandating vaccines at this time. Additionally, employees are not expected to disclose their stance on vaccines or whether they have been vaccinated. Employees should respect the privacy of their colleagues on this matter.
Can we visit clients in person?
- Virtual meetings are encouraged for your safety. Should you have a client who wants to meet in person, we require that you wear a mask and practice social distancing. We need to be mindful of the client’s practices for their business and adhere to safety protocols.
How will leave be handled should I test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms and do not feel well enough to work?
- While we are no longer obligated to provide Employee Paid Sick Leave (EPSL), we have opted to do so through March 31st, 2021, as permitted under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Should there be another extension that permits employers to extend leave beyond March 31st, we will reevaluate and announce our decision.
Although relaxed standards are coming from the state, we will continue to operate with your safety in mind. The management team is continuing to monitor COVID-19 and its impact on how we do business. We will provide updates as warranted. If you have any questions that have not been addressed here, please get with your manager.
Read More Here: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/10/texas-mask-mandate-coronavirus-restrictions/
