JPMorgan Chase & Co. announced this week that it will restrict business travel to U.S. employees who are not vaccinated or who have not disclosed their vaccination status to the bank, according to an internal memo from Reuters. The bank also ordered these employees to be tested twice a week, saying they would have to pay a larger cut in health insurance salaries to account for the testing cost.
With the COVID-19 pandemic remaining number one on the minds of employers, business travel is expected to increase significantly in the second half of 2021, although it will be below 2019 levels, according to recent reports Deloitte survey results.
Employers are still reluctant to ask their employees to go on work trips, the consultancy found in its report released in August.
“Many companies still need additional levels of approval for business travel, and the volume of travel has only grown slightly since late 2020,” the report said. “International travel is still almost unaffordable, with many countries requiring quarantine on arrival regardless of vaccination status.”
Deloitte predicted that most companies will no longer require executive permits for domestic business travel in the first two quarters of 2022. Others take a different approach. at Volkswagen AG, internal booking software directs employees in the direction of Alternatives to flying and they are being asked to justify travel rather than doing business online, Bloomberg reported. Ford is demanding that employees who go on international business trips be vaccinated, according to NBC News.
Biden’s government plans to lift COVID-19 travel bans imposed in 2020 and replace them with vaccination and testing requirements for entry into the U.S. from November, SHRM Online reported on Sept. 30.
Employers may wonder if they can legally require proof of vaccination before allowing their employees to travel to work, SHRM Online reported. The answer is yes, although you shouldn’t ask questions that would require employees to disclose medical information. Employers should also have a plan in case travel agents or business partners need a vaccination.
SHRM Online has compiled the following news articles about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on business travel.
How the pandemic is changing business travel
A successful vaccine rollout and updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifying travel as safe for vaccinated individuals have ushered in a return to domestic leisure travel. However, business travelers will return more slowly due to more complex considerations.
Conferences and trade shows, which make up a significant proportion of business travel, remain largely virtual. Many offices remain closed, restricting sales and project-related business travel from both sides: companies struggle to invite their employees on work trips, and many of their customers, suppliers, and partners have not yet opened their doors to employees, let alone visitors.
(Deloitte)
Vaccinations Required to Replace U.S. COVID-19 Travel Bans
Biden Government COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said that fully vaccinated travelers must have pre-departure testing within three days of their departure to the United States, but they do not need to be quarantined upon arrival.
He said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are setting the definition of “fully vaccinated” and which vaccines are eligible for the directive.
(SHRM-Online)
JPMorgan Bans Business Travel to Unvaccinated U.S. Employees – Memo
JPMorgan Chase & Co. announced this week that it will restrict business travel to U.S. employees who are not vaccinated or who have not disclosed their vaccination status to the bank, according to an internal memo from Reuters.
The bank also ordered such employees to be tested twice a week, saying they would have to pay a larger cut in health insurance salaries to account for testing costs.
Wall Street bank has urged its employees to get their COVID-19 vaccinations, but not mandatory vaccines, in line with colleagues like Bank of America Corp and Wells Fargo & Co.
(Reuters)
Business travel prepares for the post-vaccination reality
Can companies require employees to be vaccinated at least as a prerequisite for business trips? The answer to this question “varies widely by location” and is best left to the legal department of each company, said Andrew Miller, director of Americas Partnerships at International SOS.
(Business travel news)
How will vaccination records affect business travel?
With COVID-19 vaccines becoming widespread and companies trying to safely resume travel, employers may wonder if they can request “vaccine passports” – proof of vaccination – before employees are allowed to travel to work.
(SHRM-Online)
The latest vaccination regulations for travel
Many countries require travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to be able to enter the country for unnecessary travel. This new entry requirement comes with the increase in infection and hospitalization rates worldwide and the better availability of the vaccine. Here are some of the latest vaccination requirements for travel. Be aware that these travel policies can change quickly as the number of continuously confirmed cases fluctuates.
(Forbes)
[SHRM members-only resource: Business Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic Policy]
Review policies for business travel and vacation if pandemic persists
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, employers may want to update their travel policies to meet evolving federal and state travel restrictions and work safety guidelines.
However, if employees travel during the pandemic, employers should consider adding travel-related COVID-19 testing and isolation requirements to their policies, noted Tracey Diamond, an attorney at Troutman Pepper in Princeton, NJ
(SHRM-Online)
Business trips for federal employees who are fully vaccinated
The CDC has made available Travel advice for people who have received the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to OMB Memorandum M-21-15, Federal employees should strictly adhere to CDC guidelines for domestic and International Travel before, during and after the trip, regardless of whether it is a personal or business trip. These Frequently Asked Questions explain how these CDC Federal Official Travel Guidelines apply to official business.
(Safer federal workforce)
