May employers treat essential/critical employees different than other employees such as providing transportation to and from work or giving them antivirals when there is a limited supply?
Category: Equal Employment Opportunity and Privacy Issues Questions
Sub-Category: Essential Workers
Answer:
Yes, as long as you are following company policy and applying it in a nondiscriminatory manner. Remember you cannot discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age (40 and over), color, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Note: As an overall matter, employers should be guided in their relationship with their employees not only by federal employment law, but by their own employee handbooks, manuals, and contracts (including bargaining agreements), and by any applicable state or local laws.
Not all of the employment laws referenced apply to all employers or all employees, particularly state and local government agencies. For information on whether a particular employer or employee is covered by a law, please use the links provided for more detailed information. This information is not intended for federal agencies or federal employees -- they should contact the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for guidance.
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Last Updated: 01/24/2008