How to Track & Improve Your Workplace’s COVID-19 Vaccination Status
The COVID-19 jab has been around for a pretty long time yet adoption rates remain low in some workplaces. Now, as the airborne disease eases into a recovery period, medics consider vaccines the next level of defense. For employers, the big question is; what is your workplace’s Covid-19 vaccination status?

Just like any other gathering, workplaces remain high-risk zones and employers must continue keeping a safe working environment.

So, as you run your daily activities, it’s also important to address the vaccine issue. And some common questions include:


Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Status: Frequently Asked Questions
1.    what’s your workplace’s vaccination status?
To answer this question, you must get down to each employee. But how do you do that without breaching a worker’s rights? Discover everything below.
2.    Is it legally right to ask workers about their vaccination status?
Sure it is! According to the COVID instructions announced by EEOC (The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), it is okay for employers to discuss the vaccination status with workers. To back its claims, EOCC cites these two regulations; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA),  and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
3.     Can I request employees for evidence of vaccination?
Yes, it’s also okay to request proof of vaccination, according to EOCC’s instructions. Nevertheless, employers must not go overboard. Remember, you are not allowed to ask any further questions about a worker’s health or disabilities.

For instance, you cannot ask the employee why they haven’t been vaccinated, according to ADA laws. Any health-related questions should only apply if they are “work-related and in line with business needs.”

The best attorneys will advise you to request for the “bare minimum of documents of proof. You can do this by asking workers to submit a COVID vaccination card or fill a survey form. Also, employers must double-check state regulations as these may vary from federal laws.

Furthermore, companies requiring their employees to seek vaccines should make reasonable considerations for workers with disabilities or religious-related issues.

If a worker mentions that they haven’t received the jab, invite your Human Resource team to discuss this matter.
4.    What’s the right way to question workers about their COVID-19 vaccination status?

You can do this in many ways. Nevertheless, the first step is to decide whether this info should be voluntary or whether you’ll need disclosure.

Next, choose a data collection method to gather this information:

  • Organize COVID vaccine surveys,
  • Ask workers to fill a form

However, if you request any proof of vaccination, treat it as confidential data and keep it secluded for other worker files.
How to Handle Confidential Docs Carrying Info on COVID-19 Vaccination Status

It’s true that gathering evidence of vaccination is the best way to track your workplace’s COVID vaccination status and make informed occupational safety decisions.  However, it’s crucial to handle this data carefully because falling out of compliance can mean other legal problems for your business.

All copies holding worker vaccination records are confidential and must be handled with utmost care.

Everything from data collection to storage must be in line with the ADA’s confidentiality regulations. Follow these tips to ensure data safety:

  • Arrange and store all medical information separate from other employee files.
  • Choose a private and secure storage zone accessible only by officials from your Human Resource Management team.
  • Remember to include only vital vaccination information in these files.
  • Also, be sure not to include any unnecessary information in these files. Anything not related to COVID vaccination should appear in these files.

Requesting only relevant pieces of data protects your company in case it suffers a data breach.

Lastly, it’s important to understand OSHA requirements concerning occupational health records. The watchdog allows you to store this info either digitally or physically for up to 30 years.
Addressing Discrimination Issues When Seeking Data on COVID-19 Vaccination Status
Besides data confidentiality and safety matters, you also want to pay attention to discrimination issues when requesting data on COVID vaccination status.

For instance, denying unvaccinated employees a chance to enter the office could invite claims of discrimination.

Apart from disability discrimination issues, you may also be biased on the basis of religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, or alleged race biases if the court finds evidence of any of the above.

And that’s not all, refusing to sort out hospital bills for unvaccinated workers who are not able to perform their duties because they are infected with COVID may also invite related discrimination lawsuits.
The Employer’s Role in Improve the Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Status
After a survey, you may find that you need to improve your workplace’s COVID vaccine status. But how do you convince your employees that they need this vaccine and what are your chances of succeeding in this endeavor?

Below are some vital stats from mckinsey.com on the role of organizations in improving the vaccination status.
1.     Take the lead; workers are ready to follow
Mckinsey.com’s survey found that of all the measures an employer could take, over 40 percent of workers admitted that the stated action would largely boost their chances of taking the COVID jab.

This means that employer actions such as the following can have a potential positive impact:

  • Sharing proof of the benefits of vaccination
  • Leading by example or showing that seniors prioritize and have received the jab.
  • Sharing reliable vaccination news and data
  • Organizing on-site immunization programs
  • Covering any vaccine-related costs like transport, recovery, etc.

All the listed actions were found to encourage staff to get the jab improving the overall COVID-19 vaccination status.
2.     Cover all significant costs and make the exercise hassle-free
According to the study, all organizational steps that offer cost-cutting and/or convenience benefits matter most to workers.

In general, nearly 45 of workers cite such initiatives as motivators to take the COVID-19 jab. In comparison, only a few of the employers interviewed are working to make vaccinations more convenient and cost-effective to improve their workplace vaccine status.
3.     Compensate workers for their time off
While there are many ways to boost your workplace vaccination status, Mckinsey.com’s survey found “paid time off” as the primary motivator among staff. Your workers want to be compensated for all vaccine-related effects including the possible side effects. Most workers cited a willingness to take this vaccine if they won’t suffer the financial repercussions.
4.     Track policy changes & make regular updates
Because COVID is an ongoing pandemic, we expect regulations to change from time to time.

Both federal and state governments are updating their COVID regulations as new complexities arise. Some of these laws can impact how businesses should handle their vaccination issues.

To be on the safe side, update your policies to match current requirements.  Set up a process to monitor vaccination rules and coach your HR team to ensure you act within the law.

Workplaces that lag in COVID regulation updates will struggle to stick to old policies and processes as needs change over time. Therefore, it’s important to be flexible and remain proactive.

The best approach is to organize a system that encourages frequent messaging to share fresh updates and prepare to address any arising questions from workers concerning the new policies.
How to Implement a Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign
To get your personnel to accept the COVID-19 jab, it’s crucial to organize a worker-friendly vaccination system. However, employers must understand that an immunization program follows a strict process that must be respected.

Therefore, before taking action, employers must consider their employees’ needs. This approach increases adoption improving your organization’s COVID-19 vaccination status. Furthermore, the planning stage should involve the entire company plus the vaccination crew. This kind of coordination ensures a smooth and successful immunization process.
1.     Organization
The team responsible for the campaign should source the medics to vaccinate workers on specific dates and venues.

The medical crew will then explain the immunization procedure to follow.  Lastly, workers should be updated on all the stipulated processes and dates.
2.     Supervision
Your COVID vaccination team should supervise the immunization process to ensure a smooth and successful program.

In essence, the team should serve as the firm’s primary contact point.
Final Words on Tracking & Improving Your Workplace’s COVID-19 Vaccination Status
In a nutshell, before requesting your employees any info about their vaccination status, think about why you need this data and whether you can justify your actions.

However, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest because the norm may change as more workplaces consider disclosure of the COVID vaccination status a vital requirement.