Adam Maier Talks Vaccine Dilemma in Bank Director Article

07.01.2021

Partner Adam Maier was recently quoted in a Bank Director article regarding how banks approach the dilemma of employees who have opted to get vaccinated for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and those employees who, for various reasons, are not comfortable getting vaccinated. While the article states that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) allows employers to require employees to get vaccinated, Adam stated that there are many uncertainties within EEOC guidance, and that the best approach to this issue is to focus on educating employees and implementing modest incentives for those who get vaccinated.

"The guidance from the EEOC is fraught with uncertainties. It’s such a tightrope to be walking to mandate vaccines and also make sure you’re not doing it on a discriminatory basis, or with a discriminatory outcome.”

The article notes the complexities of vaccine guidance for companies as they still must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy or national origin. It also notes that that incentives issued by companies cannot be coercive.

As co-chair of the firm’s Banking & Financial Services division, Adam focuses his deep knowledge on the business interests and growth strategies of financial institutions and their owners. He advises financial institutions in a broad range of strategic transactions, including buying and selling banks and branches, de novo charters, forming holding companies, raising capital and reorganizations.