Pandemic evolves: Should your policies, too?

Over the past few months, mask mandates were dropped as Americans finally regained something resembling their pre-pandemic lives. However, in recent weeks, some cities and agencies are reinstating those pandemic restrictions as COVID rates tick up again.

The on-again, off-again nature of the pandemic has employers wondering what to do.

To mask or not? Mask mandates gave employers cover because they could rightfully say, "It's the law." That's no longer the case in many industries and locations.

Many employers are letting employees decide for themselves. Some workers will continue to wear masks, either because it makes them feel safer, they have young kids who aren't vaccinated or they're immuno-compromised.

Your job is to ensure employees respect colleagues' choices to wear face coverings or not (see page 3).

It may be a good idea to allow employees who are immune-compromised or those with young kids to work from home, if they can. If they can't, a limited mask mandate may be an appropriate measure.

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