Various companies and businesses across the United States are increasingly implementing stricter measures regarding COVID-19 vaccination for their employees. Some are offering perks such as paid time off or bonuses, while others are imposing requirements like more frequent COVID screening tests for unvaccinated individuals. Many major airlines have adopted similar policies, but United Airlines has taken a firm stance by making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all employees.
United Airlines has mandated that all 67,000 of its employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 25, with termination as a potential consequence for non-compliance. This move makes United the first major airline to enforce such a rigorous vaccine mandate and one of the few large corporations to do so.
United’s CEO Scott Kirby and President Brett Hart addressed concerns in a note to employees, acknowledging potential dissent towards the vaccination requirement. They emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its workforce and stated that universal vaccination contributes to overall safety in the workplace.
Given the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the airline industry, it is logical for airlines to prioritize COVID-compliant safety protocols for their staff.
United Airlines will require employees in the U.S. to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by late October, perhaps sooner, joining a growing number of big corporations that are responding to a surge in virus cases. https://t.co/PhomUlSKPR
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 6, 2021
The executives highlighted the personal impacts of COVID-19 by mentioning condolence letters sent to families of United employees who succumbed to the virus. They expressed a strong commitment to preventing further tragedies within the United Airlines community.
Following United’s announcement, the Association of Flight Attendants emphasized the importance of vaccination as a crucial strategy to combat the pandemic’s health and economic repercussions.
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