Vaccine Mandate for Federal Employees Resumes as 5th Circuit Vacates Preliminary Injunction
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated the nationwide preliminary injunction on President Biden’s vaccine mandate for the federal workforce, determining the district court lacked jurisdiction.
OMB Contends Vaccine Mandate Injunction Costs Up to $5 Million a Week
Among other documents, the White House submitted estimates regarding the cost of testing in the absence of a vaccine requirement to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Safer Federal Workforce Task Force Issues FAQ on Quarantine and Isolation Procedures
In the wake of a federal court’s injunction on the vaccine mandate for federal employees, the Biden Administration has temporarily halted disciplinary actions for non-compliance. However, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force) continues to provide new guidance for federal employees regarding leave, quarantining, testing, and other COVID-19 related areas not covered by the injunction.
Federal Judge Blocks Federal Employee Vaccine Mandate
In a ruling issued by a federal judge in the Southern District of Texas, the Biden Administration is unable to enforce Executive Order 14043 (EO), mandating vaccination for federal employees. The ruling halts all impending disciplinary actions.
Agencies Tasked to Develop COVID-19 Testing Programs for Unvaccinated Employees
On January 11, 2022, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued new and updated guidance regarding COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
OPM Extends COVID-19 Hiring Authority Extension
Under an extension announced by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) last week, federal agencies will have through June 30, 2022, to use the special Schedule A hiring authority established as a pandemic response.
OMB’s Guidance Follows Federal Injunctions of the Contractor Vaccine Mandate
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided guidance to agencies to ensure compliance with the court orders currently applicable to federal contractors in the United States and outlying areas. With a nationwide preliminary injunction in effect, federal contractors will not be required to comply with a vaccine mandate imposed by President Biden.
White House Announces Temporary Hold on Vaccine Mandate Disciplinary Actions
In response to noncompliance with its mandate that federal workers be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Biden administration announced Monday that suspensions and other serious penalties will be delayed until 2022.
OMB Announces 3.2 Million Federal Employees Complied with Vaccine Mandate
White House Assistant Press Secretary Kevin Munoz has since reported the “vast majority” of federal employees are fully vaccinated, though the 92 percent count includes those who have only so far received half of their two-dose regiment.
OPM Recaps Annual Leave Procedures, COVID-19 Special Rules
Federal employees may have some extra annual leave set to expire, according to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recent memorandum.
CHCO Council Releases DEIA Advancement Plan for the Federal Workforce
On November 23, 2021, the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council published a report on the government-wide advancement of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the federal workforce. This report outlines a series of strategies designed to improve DEIA in the federal government, aligning closely with ongoing efforts to restructure the federal workforce.
Groups Urge White House to Extend Vaccine Mandate Deadline for Federal Employees
Several federal workforce organizations have recently advocated for extending the federal employee vaccine mandate deadline align with the federal contractor deadline. The federal contractor deadline was recently extended in January 2022.
In other vaccine mandated related news, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) announced at least one agency has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the management regarding vaccine mandate implementation.
OPM Releases Additional Guidance on Enforcement of Vaccine Mandate
On October 1, 2021, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja announced further guidance on the implementation of the vaccine mandate. The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued instruction to assist agencies with implementing the vaccination requirement and outlining steps for enforcing the mandate which requires all federal workers be fully vaccinated by November 22, 2021.