Policies & IssuesAug 03, 2021
5 Things Retailers Should Know About COVID-19 SafetyPolicies & IssuesSep 28, 2021
Vaccine Mandate Raises Questions for Retailers
NRF and RILA say their members need more information and will need more time before requiring employees to get vaccinated.
The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association sent a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Labor and its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), raising questions and expressing concerns about an impending vaccine or testing mandate for companies with 100 or more employees.
New York—Retailers need more time and more information to implement new rules about employees being vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a letter by two large retail trade organizations.
The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association sent a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Labor and its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asking for 90 days to prepare to meet the requirement.
The letter is seemingly a pre-emptory measure, as OSHA has not yet released a draft of the regulations or given a timeline for when the mandate would take effect.
President Joe Biden reached out to OSHA earlier this month, directing the government agency to implement an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that requires companies with 100 or more employees to either have their workers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or require weekly testing.
OSHA can issue an ETS if it is deemed necessary to protect workers from grave danger.
In June, OSHA issued an ETS requiring health care employers to implement COVID-related health measures, including providing personal protective equipment and adequate ventilation, and allowing for social distancing.
Under this new standard, those working for healthcare providers, federal employees, and employees of federal contractors will be required to get the vaccine.
The standard would also require paid time off for employees to get the vaccine.
Related stories will be right here …
The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association sent a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Labor and its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asking for 90 days to prepare to meet the requirement.
The letter is seemingly a pre-emptory measure, as OSHA has not yet released a draft of the regulations or given a timeline for when the mandate would take effect.
President Joe Biden reached out to OSHA earlier this month, directing the government agency to implement an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that requires companies with 100 or more employees to either have their workers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or require weekly testing.
OSHA can issue an ETS if it is deemed necessary to protect workers from grave danger.
In June, OSHA issued an ETS requiring health care employers to implement COVID-related health measures, including providing personal protective equipment and adequate ventilation, and allowing for social distancing.
Under this new standard, those working for healthcare providers, federal employees, and employees of federal contractors will be required to get the vaccine.
The standard would also require paid time off for employees to get the vaccine.
Several major companies already have vaccination requirements in place, including The Walt Disney Company, Goldman Sachs, Google, Netflix, Tyson Foods, The Fox Corporation, and United Airlines.
In their letter, NRF and RILA noted that retailers have put various health and safety checks in place throughout the pandemic and have been “at the forefront of the vaccination effort,” with many providing financial incentives and paid time off to allow retail employees to get the vaccine.
“As we have navigated federal and state requirements, recommendations, and protocols, we have learned that it takes time to implement successful testing and vaccination programs—particularly in the face of challenges related to availability, access, and verification,” said the letter.
The letter also shared a list of questions from the groups’ members, including queries on how to verify vaccination status and what to do if an employee refuses both options.
Some of the questions include:
- How should employers handle religious and health exemptions?
- As the holiday season approaches, does the mandate apply to seasonal employees?
- Would it apply to an independent contractor or remote worker?
- Would the mandate affect teenage retail workers? Those workers may need parental consent for vaccination and testing, the letter noted.
Looking at the retail workforce, there may be as many as 4 million employees who would need weekly testing, stated the letter.
This begs the question about the availability of adequate testing: If testing is not available in a certain area, would the employer be fined? Would the employee be unable to work that week?
It’s also unclear whether the employee or employer would pay for the testing, should there be a charge, said the letter. Should the employee pay the testing fee to incentivize vaccinations?
Delta Air Lines announced last month that it will require employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or be tested weekly and incur a $200 monthly surcharge for health insurance.
With booster shots now available for select individuals, the members also asked how OSHA will define “vaccinated.”
If an employee receives one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and is waiting to receive the second dose, do they still require weekly testing?
“Requiring employers to mandate vaccination and testing of all employees will require extensive coordination with employers and all levels of government,” the letter stated.
Read the full letter here.
With booster shots now available for select individuals, the members also asked how OSHA will define “vaccinated.”
If an employee receives one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and is waiting to receive the second dose, do they still require weekly testing?
“Requiring employers to mandate vaccination and testing of all employees will require extensive coordination with employers and all levels of government,” the letter stated.
Read the full letter here.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
