Despite federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines, most Missouri employers stop short of mandates

New guidance by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in late May affirms employers’ rights to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for workers. But businesses in Missouri seem to be in no hurry to require vaccines as a condition of employment, Missouri Business Alert reports.

More common is paid-time off and other incentives for vaccinated employees.

St. Louis contractor Clayco is one private-sector firm that tried the mandate before its 800-person workforce returned to the office in May. However, it revoked the mandate on the heels of Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidance cautioning higher workers’ compensation costs if employees following the mandate had adverse reactions from the vaccine.

A Clayco executive said 70% of staff had gotten vaccinated and the company would consider reinstating a mandate if infections rose due to variants or more businesses began issuing mandates.

Read more from Missouri Business Alert.