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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 24, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
