No – Employers In Texas Cannot Force Employees To Get Vaccinated
Texas Governor Greg Abbott Wednesday (December 8) issued a statement regarding the Texas Workforce Commission's (TWC) letter to Texas employers that clarifies the state's law on COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the workplace.
The letter from the TWC reminds employers and employees that according to Governor Abbott's Executive Order GA-40, Texas employers cannot force a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on any employee who qualifies for an exemption for religious, personal, or medical reasons.
The TWC letter also reminds employees that if they are subjected to a vaccine mandate, it is a violation of GA-40, and they should notify the TWC by calling (800) 939-6631 or emailing vaccine_job_loss@twc.texas.gov. TWC will refer verified tips to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
"Since day one, the State of Texas has taken a stand against the federal government's unconstitutional COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the workplace, three of which have since been deemed illegal by federal courts," said Governor Abbott. "My Executive Order clearly states that no employer can mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for an employee with a religious, personal, or medical exemption. We have now created a hotline for employees to report illegal vaccine mandates in Texas. While I encourage Texans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, it will always be voluntary, and never forced, in Texas, and we are committed to ensuring Texans' livelihoods are not jeopardized by federal overreach."
If you missed the original TWC letter, here it is.
The CDC still recommends vaccinations and boosters and so does the Governor, but in the State of Texas, no one can force you to get one.