May 5 the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted an updated and expanded technical assistance publication addressing questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The updated questions and answers portion (G.3, G.4., and G.5.) now addresses issues related to accommodating employees with underlying medical conditions that may put them at a higher risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19.

Businesses should remember that guidance from public health authorities is likely to change as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Therefore, employers should continue to follow the most current information on maintaining workplace safety.