Lawyers Face Civil Liberties Challenge of SARS

With little defini­tive medical guidance about what provides safety from SARS, no reli­able test for the virus, and unclear quarantine rules, firms must simply use their best judgment to meet their base-line duty to provide a safe workplace in whatever manner is reasonably necessary. In addition, they must protect the legal rights of citizens to be free from discrimi­nation based on race and national origin. This article outlines core issues that employers must address when establishing a communicable illness policy that does not impinge upon employees' civil liberties.