federal judge in the case of Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Biden has decided President Joe Biden likely overstepped his authority with Executive Order 14042 in requiring federal contractors to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees.  Adding additional complexity and confusion to the already muddied landscape, the decision enjoins the Order for going into effect in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee -the three states that challenged the Executive Order in the lawsuit.  Federal contractors and subcontractors subject to EO 14042 and the implementing FAR Clause are relieved, at least temporarily, from implementing the requirements for employees in the three named states.  This injunction throws a curve ball for Tennessee employers in particular.

Those employers with employees in Tennessee should be mindful of the Tennessee law that, among other things, prohibits private employers from requiring employees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or taking adverse action against an employee who does not show proof of vaccination if they object for any reason.  Under that law If an employer would lose federal funds, the employer can file a petition for relief from the state controller, but with EO 14042 enjoined this option will not be available.

The case is Commonwealth of Kentucky et al. v. Biden et al., case number 3:21-cv-00055, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

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Photo of Laura A. Mitchell Laura A. Mitchell

Laura A. Mitchell is a Principal in the Denver, Colorado, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She is a member of the firm’s Affirmative Action and OFCCP Defense practice group as well as the firm’s Pay Equity Resource Group. She is also on the…

Laura A. Mitchell is a Principal in the Denver, Colorado, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She is a member of the firm’s Affirmative Action and OFCCP Defense practice group as well as the firm’s Pay Equity Resource Group. She is also on the leadership team for the firm’s Government Contractor Industry Group.

Her practice is focused on representing government and non-government contractors in OFCCP matters, preparing for and defending OFCCP audits, and counseling employers on issues stemming from OFCCP regulations. Ms. Mitchell personally oversees the development of hundreds of AAPs each year and is intimately involved in the defense of numerous OFCCP audits. She also spends significant time counseling companies in connection with conducting pay equity analyses as well as government contractor employment obligations.

Ms. Mitchell is the editor and a principal contributor of The Affirmative Action Law Advisor blog and frequently presents on pay equity, affirmative action compliance, OFCCP enforcement trends, and government contractor obligations.

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