Contact: Amanda H. Beck
(202) 789-8604
abeck@chro.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2021
America’s Large Employers Express Need for Collaboration on COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Federal Contractors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – HR Policy Association, representing chief human resource officers of more than 390 of the largest employers in the United States, encourages President Biden’s Safer Federal Workforce Task Force to solicit input from member companies on the new guidance released today requiring employees of federal contractors and subcontractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Collectively, HR Policy Association represents employers of more than 11 million Americans, or nearly nine percent of the U.S. workforce. Two-thirds of HR Policy Association member companies are federal contractors.
President and CEO of HR Policy Association Timothy J. Bartl said, “HR Policy Association and its members are wholeheartedly in favor of measures to encourage vaccination to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The novel nature of this guidance creates strong potential for unintended economic consequences, particularly for certain manufacturing and supply-chain employers already facing staffing shortages, with potential impact on federal goods and services. We will submit formal comments to the Task Force and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to highlight areas where greater clarity is needed and encourage the practical input of our members mandated to implement this new regulation.”
HR Policy Association member companies not only provide access to free vaccinations, but many are encouraging their employees to become vaccinated by offering paid leave and other incentives, and some members in certain industries are already requiring employees to be vaccinated. Large employers have also admirably implemented many new, non-traditional benefits to employees during the pandemic to support the evolving workplace and workforce needs including, increased mental and behavioral health and additional childcare services, among other benefits.
“HR Policy Association and our members would welcome the opportunity to work with the Task Force and the Administration to identify workable efforts and solutions to further our shared interest in eradicating COVID-19,” said Mr. Bartl.
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HR Policy Association is the lead organization representing chief human resource officers of major employers. The Association consists of more than 390 of the largest corporations doing business in the United States and globally, and these employers are represented in the organization by their most senior human resource executive. Collectively, their companies employ more than 11 million employees in the United States, over nine percent of the private sector workforce, and 20 million employees worldwide. They have a combined market capitalization of more than $8 trillion. These senior corporate officers participate in the Association because of their commitment to improving the direction of human resource policy. Their objective is to use the combined power of the membership to act as a positive influence
to better public policy, the HR marketplace, and the human resource profession. For more information visit www.chro.org.
