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New COVID -19 Requirements for Employers and HR

1/16/2022

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​Federal courts have temporarily blocked the Biden administration’s three different rulemaking actions on COVID-19 vaccine requirements affecting private employers, prompting a growing number of businesses to fill the void with their own vaccination policies to protect workers and customers.
During Wednesday’s virtual meeting of NJBIA’s Human Resources Council, Fox Rothchild labor employment attorney Brian McGinnis shared best practices for COVID-19 workplace vaccination policies and how employers should handle requests for a “reasonable accommodation” from unvaccinated employees who say they cannot get the shot for medical or religious reasons.

“You want to set clear definitions, clear dates of compliance, and clear expectations” in any written COVID-19 policy, McGinnis said. “You also want to make sure your COVID-19 vaccination policy expressly outlines a form of accommodation process. Something as simple as stating the employer will comply with the requirement under applicable law to provide a reasonable accommodation to this policy.”

The policy should require the employee to report his or her vaccination status directly to Human Resources, not their supervisor, to protect the businesses from discrimination lawsuits later, he said. The supervisor should only be looped in about the employee’s vaccination status if Human Resources decides to grant the employee a reasonable accommodation related to the vaccine requirement.

Various state and federal laws require employers to make reasonable accommodation for employees who have a disability, are pregnant or have a sincere religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated. A disability accommodation request, for example, could arise in the context of an employee who is immunocompromised from cancer treatments.

The accommodation might be to require the unvaccinated employee to wear a mask and be tested weekly in the workplace. Remote work might be another reasonable accommodation, but only if the employee’s essential job functions do not require direct interactions with co-workers, clients or customers.

“You are not required to grant an accommodation that would remove a job’s essential functions,” McGinnis said. “The goal of accommodation is to allow people to continue to do these essential functions in a different way that accommodates them.”
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Article Posted Compliments of  NJBIA 

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Are You A Business That Had To Raise Wages?

12/11/2021

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Are you a small business that had to raise wages to be competitive?  

Below is a link for an article that is shared from NJBIA 
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Small Business Continuing to Raise Wages at Record Rate - NJBIA - New Jersey Business & Industry Association


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Herd Immunity Brings Hope on the Horizon

5/23/2021

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The prevalent conversations circulating in the news and on social media is “when are we going to reach herd immunity?” Herd Immunity is when a high percentage of the population is immune to the deadly Coronavirus, COVID-19. Did you know there are two ways to achieve “Herd Immunity?” According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of The National Institute of allergy and infectious disease, and President Biden’s Chief medical adviser, said early in the pandemic to achieve herd immunity at least 60 to 70% of the population needs to be inoculated. A year later he announced upwards of 90% of the population must receive the COVID-19 vaccination to end the devastation caused by the pandemic. I am not sure how many people are 90%, but that’s a boatload of people. The reality is because the COVID-19 virus is unknown, the percentage to reach herd immunity is also unknown. Another way to achieve herd immunity is unethical, leaving a vast majority of the population to become ill and die. Not an appealing or a humane thought. This gives the virus an opportunity to mutate and reduce the efficacy of the vaccine, strengthening and therefore to run rampant. The obvious choice is for the US to get at least 90% of its population vaccinated.

Vaccines help fight viruses and bacteria that enter our bodies. Historically, vaccines contained inactivated or weakened viruses. However, Moderna and Pfizer created a new type of vaccine using a genetic molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA). It does not contain a live virus, nor does it cause the disease. Once injected into the body, mRNA instructs the cells to produce a protein found on the Covid-19 virus’s surface. One of the most important functions of protein production is to protect the cell from harmful bacteria and viruses. The body recognizes this protein as an invader and causes the body to produce antibodies. Antibodies, called killer cells, attack the foreign protein and kill it. This creates an immune response. When the Covid-19 virus invades the body, these killer cells will remember them from the mRNA vaccine injection and destroy the COVID-19 virus. 

We now have three vaccines, including the J&J, that will prevent the severe complications of the disease that caused an influx of hospitalization and death. They will also help perpetuate an end to the pandemic and save millions of lives. As of May 16, 2021, Stastista, an online portal for data, reported a startling number of positive COVID cases in the US at 32,752,426. Some agencies and reporting platforms were not consistent in reporting the total numbers of deaths. The number of deaths ranged from 526,00 to 900,00. The latter seems believable. 

With the new vaccines and herd immunity, there is hope to eradicate if not slow the spread of the COVID virus. It takes a community effort, please educate yourself about getting the vaccine. I am remaining optimistic in believing we will reach those numbers for herd immunity. Remember to continue to wear your masks, even after becoming vaccinated, and social distance until we see that ship of hope on the horizon. Be safe!
By DeLoise Gambrell

Metro DC Contributor 




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Celebrating Two Amazing Women of History

3/17/2021

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Celebrating Two Amazing Women of History

In the month of March, we celebrate Women’s history. We celebrate to acknowledge and give thanks to the awesome women whose accomplishments have given hope and pride to generations of women of all races.  Although we are celebrating the history of accomplished women from the past, I wanted to write about a history-making woman who was at the forefront of developing a COVID-19 vaccine.  She is fast becoming a household name. Her name is Kizzmekia Corbett, a Viral Immunologist and senior research fellow at the National  Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Center (VRC). As a researcher, she is part of a team that creates and conducts research to improve, develop theories, and techniques for research and development projects.  This fast-paced, groundbreaking successful Moderna vaccine Dr. Corbett and her colleagues developed from trial phases into our arms are like the dawn of light on a new day.  Dr. Corbett grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina.  She became interested and decided to pursue a career in research after meeting a scientist while attending a science camp at the age of 16.  Hurrah Dr. Corbett for your continued effort to protect us from the constantly emerging viruses, that are unfortunately inevitable, and making history!

The Stonewall riots in New York City were started because of a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village.  The police raided the bar in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969.  Sylvia Rae Rivera, a transgender activist, and civil rights pioneer, was a regular at the Stonewall Inn. She and the other occupants of the Inn fought back.  This caused demonstrations over the course of several days.  The protesters fought against a long history of systematic, institutionalized harassment and arrests in the gay communities.  Rivera was key in organizing these protests. This made Rivera an important icon in mobilizing and uniting the gay community in New York.  As a result of the protest, she is credited for igniting the modern LGBTQ movement.  Ms. Rivera was involved in the fight for gay rights with the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA) until they abandoned the idea to protect the right of transgender people.  According to a livescience article on the “10 Amazing Women Turned the Tide of History.” This fueled her work to promote rights and visibility for gender-nonconforming people, especially those in the community who were young or at risk.  Stonewall Inn and the surrounding streets were designated by President Barack Obama in 2016 as a national monument for the contribution to gay rights.

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The Silent Partner on the Front Line during the Pandemic

12/26/2020

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The Silent Partner on the Front Line during the Pandemic

By DeLoise Gambrell


A Respiratory Therapist is the other professional in the trenches, and on the frontline risking their lives alongside the doctors and nurses who are keeping patients alive who have contracted COVID-19. Oftentimes we do not hear about Respiratory Therapists, they’re the silent partners in this fight to heal the patients stricken with CoronaVirus. It is my intention in this article to educate those who are unaware of the role of the Respiratory Therapist and to say thank you for all that you're doing for your patients.


The CoronaVirus is a respiratory disease, which affects the upper respiratory and lower respiratory tracts. The nose, sinus, and throat are part of the upper tract, and the windpipe and lungs make up the lower tract. COVID-19 can cause Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or ARDS. It causes damage to the lungs such as scarring. This damage causes fluid to leak into the lungs making it difficult for oxygen to transfer from the bloodstream.


Through a questionnaire, I had the opportunity to ask several Respiratory Therapists questions about what is a Respiratory Therapist, their role, and to help us understand what it means to be on the frontline during this CoronaVirus Pandemic. They also answered questions about what they want the general public and elected leaders to know about the seriousness of the virus. Finally, I wanted to know how they de-escalated from the day to day routine and seeing the growing numbers of deaths from COVID-19.


A Respiratory Therapist, RT, is a certified medical professional that provides specialized care to help patients with chronic cardio-pulmonary illnesses. Many have associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees in respiratory care. Their role is to work in collaboration, as part of the patient’s team, alongside nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers to treat, care, and help improve the patient’s outcome. They administer respiratory medication, operate ventilators, and review and test the patient’s lung capacity, among other duties. The use of a ventilator helps to get more oxygen into the bloodstream.


I asked what made these dedicated professionals decide to become Respiratory Therapists? The majority agreed it was their desire to help people suffering from cardio-respiratory illnesses, and the ability to save lives. One question asked, what does it mean to be an RT during the COVID-19 pandemic? The overwhelming answer was scary, yet rewarding. One RT said it was the most unexpected, scary, and very demanding time in their life. Another RT answered it’s unbelievable, and heartbreaking to not be able to do as much as you can to save a life. Sadly, the answer to this question by one brave RT said it meant being there for a patient who is ill and without family present.


I wanted to know the emotional, physical, and mental issues that they faced during this time. Many answered watching patients die, especially without family. They all agree that staff shortage and long working hours caused physical exhaustion. Another question put to them was how do you as an RT prepare yourself mentally each day before work in such an environment? They responded praying, listening to music, just do it, and happy to see their dedicated co-workers beside them. Others responded making sure they take proper precautions, and most importantly to eat well and take care of themselves so that they can be effective in doing their jobs. I asked what do they do to deescalate after their shift? Some answered that they relax by hiking, counting their blessings, listening to music, spending time with family, and reading.


I inquired about what they wanted the general public or elected leaders to know about the virus. The majority said to take this virus more seriously, to educate yourselves about the virus, stop making it political, and follow the CDC’s recommendations.


I want to end this article with a thank you and a word from Tosha Lawson, a Respiratory Therapist whom I had the pleasure of speaking to in a telephone interview. She agreed to share her thoughts about being an RT during the early stages of this pandemic. “This pandemic is scary for everyone involved, patients, family, and health care workers. We, as Respiratory Therapists, do everything we possibly can for our patients. We never neglect any patient even though we are afraid of the virus, and its uncertainties. A typical day would start with a shift of 8-9 therapists, geared up in bunny suits, N95’s, face shields, head, and shoe coverings. We see every patient and do everything required as a respiratory therapist. This is our job, and we do the best that we can as dedicated RT’s.”


To the silent partners on the frontline, saying thank you doesn’t seem sufficient enough to express our sentiments for what you are doing to save lives. Thank you for sharing your experiences and educating us about what you do, and how you are doing it.   BE SAFE
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HAVING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

11/21/2020

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AS WE ENTER INTO THIS SEASON OF THANKSGIVING, ADVENT, AND CHRISTMAS; IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR ATTITIUDES AND HOW THEY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO BE GRATEFUL OR SHALL I SAY DEMONSTRATE GRATITUDE.

            THE YEAR 2020 WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THE COIVD-19 PANDEMIC, FOR THE OVER 11 MILLION LIVES AFFECTED BY A DEADLY VIRUS AND OVER 250,000 SOULS LOST DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND THAT IS JUST IN THE UNITED STATES.  DUR THE PANDEMIC WE HAVE HAD TO LEARN NEW NORMS: QUARENTINE, STAYING SIX FEET APART/SOCIAL DISTANCING, WEARING A MASK, AND TO WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY.  WE NO LONGER HUG, SHAKE HANDS, PARTICIPATE IN LARGE GATHERINGS; BUT THAT IS ONLY IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS PANDEMIC IS REAL.
          
  OUR CHILDREN FOR THE MOST PART ATTEND SCHOOL ON-LINE, OUR COMMUNITES HAVE SUFFERED GREATLY DUR TO UNEMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, ISOLATION, AND THE INABILITY TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND THE HOMELESS POPULATION HAS INCREASED.

            ACCORDING TO JAMES MOORE IN HIS BOOK: ATTITUDE IS YOUR PAINTBRUSH: IT COLORS EVERY SITUATION; “THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE I KNOW ARE THE GRATEFUL PEOPLE; THE STRONGEST, MOST FULFILLED PEOPLE I KNOW ARE THE THANKFUL PEOPLE.” (p. 10, 1998).

            THE APOSTLE PAUL PUT IT LIKE THIS:” GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:18).  IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS, PAUL SAYS.  IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, GIVE THANKS.  

            THIS PASSAGE IS VERY PERSONAL AS I USED IT IN A EULOGY FOR MY MOM WHO WENT HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD ON 10/23/18.  I REMEMBER CRYING THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE TOUCHED BY THE PRAYERS, THE SONGS AND THE PRESENCE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.  WHEN I STOOD UP TO SPEAK MY ATTITUDE WAS ONE OF GREAT APPRECIATION FOR THE LOVE I FELT, THE GRATITUDE FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT DURING MY TIME OF BEREAVEMENT.  I WAS OVERWHELMED WITH GRATITUDE AND I KNEW I WAS NOT ALONE.
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            HAVING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IS INTENTIONAL.  IT TAKES TIME; TIME WITH GOD IN PRAYER, TIME IN GOD’S WORD, AND TIME WITH OTHERS- VIA ZOOM, FACE TIME.  HOWEVER, YOU CAN CONNECT KNOWING THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE, WE ARE NOT ALONE, AND YES, WE CAN ALL DO BETTER.  VIEW EACH DAY AS A GIFT FROM GOD AND GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, BECAUSE HE IS GOOD, HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING, AND HIS TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS. (PSALM 100).
                                                                                                REV. DEBORAH WEST-JONES
                                                                                                NOV. 19. 2020
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