#2020-42 December 18, 2020

EEOC Releases Vaccination Guidance for Employers; MBA to Host Webinar in January

Earlier this week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a revised question-and-answer document that confirms that employers may mandate COVID-19 vaccinations when they are available.  The Q&A document also addresses questions about how employers should respond to requests by employees not to be vaccinated because of health or religious reasons.

According to the EEOC guidance, if an employee indicates that he or she is unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination because of a disability, the employer should conduct an individualized assessment to determine if the employee would pose a “direct threat” to the health or safety of others in the workplace because the unvaccinated employee will expose others to the virus at the worksite.

If an employer determines that the employee poses a direct threat, the employer cannot exclude the employee from the workplace—or take any other action—unless there is no way to provide a reasonable accommodation, absent undue hardship.

MBA Associate Member Nutter McClennen and Fish LLP recently issued a Legal Advisory that provides an analysis of the EEOC guidance.  The Association is also planning to host a complimentary webinar in the coming weeks that will provide an opportunity for member bankers to ask specific questions regarding vaccine mandates.  We encourage you to discuss the guidance with your legal counsel as you develop bank policies about COVID-19 vaccinations.

To read the EEOC guidance, click here.  To read the Nutter Legal Advisory, click here.  

Speaker DeLeo Files Disclosure Indicating he is Discussing Jobs at Northeastern University

Earlier today, House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), who was reelected to a sixteenth term in November, filed a state-mandated ethics disclosure form indicating that he is in discussions with Northeastern University regarding “prospective employment opportunities.”  The Speaker’s future on Beacon Hill has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, with reports earlier this week that he was planning to resign to take an unspecified job at his alma mater.

Speaker DeLeo became the longest serving speaker in state history in February, after ascending to the top post in early 2009 after the resignation of former Speaker Sal DiMasi.  He has spent 30 years of his professional career in the House of Representatives, serving as the House Ways and Means chair before ascending to the Speaker’s office.  

According to published reports, House Majority Leader Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) appears to have secured the votes to succeed DeLeo.  Representative Russell Holmes has also announced he plans to run if DeLeo steps down.  It is unclear if the Speaker will leave before the end of the current legislative session on January 5, 2021.  House members will be sworn in on January 6 for the new two-year session. 

Massachusetts Unemployment Rate Falls to 6.7 Percent

Earlier this week, officials reported that the state’s unemployment rate decreased for the sixth straight month in November to 6.7 percent, an improvement from double-digit figures over the summer but well above pre-pandemic levels.  The Massachusetts unemployment rate in October was 7.4 percent.  State officials also reported that Massachusetts employers added 12,200 jobs last month, more than the revised total of 9,500 added in October. 

MBA’s 2020 Handbook on Deposit and Fiduciary Accounts Shipping Now!

The Association is pleased to announce the release of the 2020 Handbook on Deposit and Fiduciary Accounts.  The Handbook describes all relevant laws and regulations, in effect as of October 31, 2020, to aid branch staff, managers and other deposit operations personnel in staying up to date on best practices and industry requirements. 

This year’s edition includes all relevant revisions to state banking laws in the past year including, but not limited to, all applicable emergency guidance, regulations, and statutes enacted in response to the COVID-19 health crisis.  Other recent changes include the reorganization of topics, separating account management and maintenance issues from account opening procedures, and updated medical & recreational marijuana and hemp banking guidance.  Further, the Handbook continues to be substantially revised and updated annually to ensure a more user-friendly product. 

Order yours today by clicking here