Can a company force an employee to get a flu shot?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can a company force an employee to get a flu shot?
My company recently instituted a policy stating that all
employees have to receive a flu shot by mid December. Failure
to do so would result in a suspension that could lead to
termination. There are exceptions for medical and religious
reasons. Medical exception must be signed by a doctor. I have
neither just prefer not getting one.
Asked on October 18, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Actually, an employer can require its workers to get annual flu shots (or any other vaccination). The fact is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that a company cans set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit, including mandating flu shots. The exceptions would be if such an action violates the terms of an employment contract, union agreement, would violate a worker's religious beliefs, or subject the worker to an adverse medical reaction.
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Actually, an employer can require its workers to get annual flu shots (or any other vaccination). The fact is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that a company cans set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit, including mandating flu shots. The exceptions would be if such an action violates the terms of an employment contract, union agreement, would violate a worker's religious beliefs, or subject the worker to an adverse medical reaction.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.