Contains Q&A Section of Common Workplace Questions
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has again updated and expanded its technical assistance publication addressing questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The publication, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” provides approaches employers may adopt as they plan for employees returning to the workplace, including informing employees about who to contact with requests for disability accommodation or other flexibilities, and inviting employees to make requests in advance that the employer will consider on an individualized basis. The updates begin at Q&A G.6.
The updates also address requests for accommodation in the employer’s process for workplace screening, as well as frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and age discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and sex discrimination, involving employees with caretaking or family responsibilities.
Finally, there are new questions about steps employers may take to address harassment of employees who are or are perceived to be of Chinese or other Asian national origin, including reminding employers that workplace harassment may occur while employees are teleworking.
In response to inquiries from the public, the EEOC has provided resources on its website related to the pandemic in an employment context. The agency promises that it will continue to monitor developments and provide assistance to the public as needed.
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.
For more information, contact Claiborne Guy at claiborne.guy@agc.org or 703-837-5382.