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Note See the Employment page of our Weather Emergencies guide for information related to ongoing natural disasters in Texas.
This page contains information on the following. Click the link to jump to each topic:
Employee Rights
Information on employee medical privacy, disability discrimination, and information on getting fired due to COVID-19.
Employee Medical Leave
Options for employees who need to take off work due to COVID-19.
Workplace Safety
Information on workplace safety requirements and employer liability.
Mask Policies at Stores or Businesses
Information on mask policies for customers and/or employees. Also see the Mask Laws page of this guide.
Unemployment
Information on current unemployment benefits for those who are out of work due to COVID-19.
Information for Employers
General employment law information related to COVID-19.
In an article published June 17th, the Texas Tribune quotes Governor Abbott as saying, “Businesses … they’ve always had the opportunity and the ability, just like they can require people to wear shoes and shirts, these businesses can require people to wear face masks if they come into their businesses.”
According to the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (see FAQ G.2) an employer can require employees to wear protective gear (such as face coverings or gloves). Employees may make a request for a reasonable accommodation under the ADA or a religious accommodation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (such as a modified mask that can be worn with a religious head covering). Employers should provide the modification or an alternative modification unless it would create an “undue hardship” for the employer.
