Google To Give Unvaccinated Employees The Boot

Google informed its employees that they would lose pay and subsequently their jobs if they did not comply with the company’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Employees who were not fully vaccinated or medically or religiously exempt according to the company’s policy by the Jan. 18 deadline are to be placed on “paid administrative leave” for 30 days, according to the memo sent out to employees. Workers who do not meet the company’s requirements after the 30 days of paid leave would be placed on “unpaid personal leave” for up to 6 months.

Employees who are still not in compliance with the company’s policy after the six-month deadline would be fired.

Google requires #unvaccinated employees w/o medical reason to get vaxed by Jan. 18 or be put on leave, and if still refuse, be terminated #thatsright https://t.co/ggwRy0aenB

— Scott Galloway (@profgalloway) December 15, 2021

“We expect that almost all roles at Google in the US will fall within the scope of the executive order,” the memo said. “Anyone entering a Google building must be fully vaccinated or have an approved accommodation that allows them to work or come onsite,” the memo said, adding that “frequent testing is not a valid alternative to vaccination.”

Google as well as many large companies have decided to enforce strict COVID-19 policies.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. announced Tuesday that all unvaccinated employees of its Manhattan offices will be working remotely, citing the surge in COVID-19 cases and fairness to vaccinated employees.

Kroger announced Tuesday that it will eliminate paid emergency leave for unvaccinated workers who have COVID-19 in addition to requiring some to pay a monthly $50 health insurance surcharge starting in 2022.