As COVID Cases Rise, More Local Companies are Considering Vaccine Mandates

Labor and Employment attorney William deMeza was quoted in a Tampa Bay Business Journal article discussing how businesses in Tampa Bay are now considering mandating the vaccine for employees. When the vaccine was first introduced, attorneys recommended that businesses incentivize workers to get vaccinated through paid time off or gift cards, to avoid conflict with employees. Now, months later, it is clear that this method has not proven to be effective, as only 50% of Floridians have received the vaccine.

"A couple of companies I’ve spoken to don’t think there are any real legal hurdles [to mandating the vaccine]," said Mr.deMeza. "Employees can complain, they can initiate litigation — you can't lock the courthouse doors — but these companies think that if they're challenged, they will win."

READ: As COVID Cases Rise, More Local Companies are Considering Vaccine Mandates