The withdrawal becomes effective Jan. 26, but OSHA says it's not abandoning its efforts to institute a permanent safety standard.

The stay of federal contractor vaccine mandate preliminary injunction proceedings is the latest in recent vaccine mandate developments.

Ongoing changes between federal and state regulations, injunctions and litigation had led to confusion in the employment sector.

OSHA has now announced plans to suspend all implementation and enforcement efforts related to the mandate... for now.

"Had he been a woman, he wouldn't have been treated in the same way," said attorney Michael J. Willemin.