Measles outbreak leaves employers wondering what they can and can’t do in response

[Omaha Steve]

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Health officials reported a measles outbreak this week at a KinderCare facility in Palatine, Illinois. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed more than 100 measles cases in a total of 14 states in 2015.


http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/measles-outbreak-leaves-employers-wondering-what-they-can-and-can/article_77ef81ba-bd07-5215-a5c6-c68add71c760.html

Posted: Saturday, February 7, 2015 1:00 am
Associated Press |

NEW YORK (AP) — A boss who’s worried about an outbreak of measles in the workplace needs to tread lightly.

Reports of a growing number of measles cases have employers wondering what they should be doing. But federal and state laws can limit their ability to require workers to be vaccinated. And it may be risky to even ask staffers whether they’ve gotten a measles or other type of vaccination.

News about a measles case in the New York City area has clients calling human resources provider Alcott HR Group seeking advice, said Bob Byrnes, director of risk management with the New York-based company.

“They’re asking, what can they do? Can they go up and ask people if they’re vaccinated, or if their children are,” Byrnes said.

FULL story at link.

[Divernan]

1. Easier to screen & not hire than to fire

I think it's reasonable for an employer who provides child care - or senior care or any kind of health care for that matter- to require a complete health history and current health exam (which would involve taking a health history) from applicants for employment. Then the employer can choose what degree of health risks and also financial risks (loss of clients who will not put their kids at risk) to take.
l
Responsible parents will doubtless be screening care facilities to make sure their kids will not be in close daily contact with employees or other kids who can spread measles.l

When my kids were in public schools many decades ago, I had to have their pediatrician fill out a certificate of vaccinations/ with dates, for said schools. This refusal to vaccinate against childhood diseases is a bizarre twist which will require some fine-tuned legislation - at the individual school board, state or national level.

Hey, all you charter school entrepreneurs! Start up vaccination free charter schools. Prey on fools' fears and make a healthy profit!

[Hestia]

2. When I used to work at a hospital clinic, I had to prove that I had either the measles or a MMR

(I was born a year too late to automatically be exempt from vaccinations or having the disease) plus every year a nurse would show up at your desk to give the TB check and a flu shot. All this and I really didn't work around patients per se though I worked at a Senior Education Center. Proving vaccinations was allowed because you worked through the hospital system.

[MiniMe]

3. I had the measles when I was a kid, but I have no idea how I would prove it.

Had the mumps and chicken pox too, but that was all back in the 60's.