Ongoing uncertainty over COVID-19 vaccine mandates may trigger an increase in discrimination and retaliation claims against employers next year, according to employment practices liability insurance experts.

What the effect will be on employment practices liability coverage, though, remains to be seen.

Amid a patchwork of federal, state, local and employer vaccination policies, accommodation requests from employees have ticked up and further employment practices liability insurance claims are a concern.

Legal disputes over the validity of federal mandates are expected to make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

On Dec. 17, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati reinstated the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for private U.S. businesses with 100 or more employees.