OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine/Testing Mandate: How Will It Impact Your Firm?

In arguably the most far-reaching move of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal workplace safety officials have issued a rule that will require all employers with 100 or more employees to either ensure their workers are vaccinated or require unvaccinated employees to produce a weekly negative test result before coming to work. This emergency temporary standard rule was released on November 5 and while a U.S.  circuit court issued a nationwide stay on the ETS the next day, as of December 17, the stay has been lifted and the ETS is currently in effect. According to an OSHA update, covered employees will have until January 10, 2022 to comply with all requirements except the weekly testing of unvaccinated workers.  Weekly testing may be delayed until February 9, assuming the employer is making reasonable, good-faith efforts to come into compliance. We know as firm leaders, you have many questions, see potential issues with the ETS and are probably wondering why yet another challenge that comes along with a busy season. This 60-minute online conversation will provide participants with an experienced labor and employment law attorney, two seasoned firm COOs and a firm partner as a moderator discussing the questions on the minds of firm leaders and their employees. This is a can’t miss session for those firms with 100 or more employees.

About the speakers

Alan Alexander, CPA, PAFM, Chief Operating Officer, Jackson Thornton

Alan serves as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer. He came to Jackson Thornton from RSM US where he was a Strategic Project Director/Senior Manager. He had served as the Chief Operating Officer for Sellers, Richardson, Holman & West prior to their acquisition by RSM US. Alan is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of Alabama Birmingham and holds a Master of Accounting with a tax concentration. He maintains professional membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jeffrey Mullins, Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Jeff practices in the areas of health care, construction and labor and employment law with the firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister. He has spent more than 25 years providing private and public organizations with creative, practical and proactive advice on how to run a successful operation while complying with a myriad of complex legal requirements. He has experience in counseling, advising and defending organizations on issues concerning the Affordable Care Act, the FLSA, federal prevailing wage laws, the NLRA, the ADA and other anti-discrimination laws, sexual harassment, OSHA and workplace violence and bullying. Jeff regularly assists clients in the development of personnel policies, affirmative action plans, and all types of employment agreements. He also provides training for clients on all aspects of day-to-day human resource issues.

Jeanie Price, PAFM, Partner and Director of Administration, DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors

Jeanie joined DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors as an administrative assistant and was named partner in January 2009. She also serves as Director of Administration, with the responsibility of managing the firm. This role encompasses overseeing day-to-day operations, such as staff supervision and training, human resources, quality control, information technology, the automation and management of the firm’s finances, internal accounting, and supporting the firm’s strategic direction. As part of the firm’s management team, Jeanie helps create and implement policies and decisions, as well as manage the responsibilities and activities of the staff.

Stephanie Wilkinson, SHRM-CP, SPHR, PAFM, Chief Operating Officer, Lumsden McCormick

Stephanie is the Chief Operating Officer with Lumsden McCormick, LLP where she is responsible for ensuring the efficient operation of the day-to-day activities of the Firm, including administration, human resources, information technology, marketing, finance, and facilities. She has been with Lumsden McCormick for 9 years previously serving as the Director of Human Resources. Stephanie is a graduate of Medaille College with a Masters of Science in Education and currently serves as a member of several community leadership teams as well as CPAFMA, SHRM, the New York State Society of CPAs and the AICPA.