United Airlines told its staff on Wednesday that those granted a religious exemption from vaccination against the coronavirus will be placed on unpaid temporary leave, CNBC reported.
In August, United became the first major U.S. airline to issue a vaccine warrant for its employees. Employees were given up to five weeks after the Pfizer vaccine was fully approved or until Oct. 25 to submit full vaccination tests. Since the Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer vaccine on August 23, employees will have until September 27 to be fully vaccinated.
“We have no greater responsibility to you and your colleagues than to ensure your safety when you are working and the facts are clear: everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated,” United CEO Scott told employees Kirby, and President Brett Hart. in a note obtained by The Hill last month.
Now United is telling its employees that those who apply for a religious exemption and are denied must receive the first shot before Sept. 27 or will be fired, CNBC reported. According to reports, unit staff who are granted medical exemptions will be placed on temporary medical leave.
Employees who interact directly with customers, such as pilots, flight attendants and door agents who are granted an exemption, will be able to return to work “once the pandemic is significantly withdrawn,” United reported. although the airline did not specify a timeline.
According to CNBC, mechanics and dealers who are also exempt may return to work when United implements new testing procedures and other mitigation measures.
The Hill has contacted United to comment.
Unlike United, other major U.S. airlines such as Southwest, American and Delta have decided not to issue vaccine warrants for their employees. Delta CEO Ed Bastian reasoned that most of his company’s workforce was already vaccinated, while American Airlines decided to encourage vaccinations with an additional day off next year.
While not demanding vaccines for its employees, American Airlines last week took a tougher stance against workers who hire COVID-19 and get sick, ending their special pandemic leave and forcing employees to use your own sick days.
“Given that there is an FDA-approved vaccine, only pandemic permission will be offered to team members who are fully vaccinated and who provide us with their vaccination card,” American Airlines told its staff. warning that it may require vaccinations from its employees in the future if the virus continues to mutate.