United Airlines said Wednesday that more than half of its employees who were not vaccinated last month have received their shots after the company announced that vaccines would be needed.
The airline’s 67,000 US-based employees face a September 27 deadline to face vaccination or termination or unpaid leave.
United’s vice president of human resources Kirk Limacher made a statement about vaccinations in a memo to employees on Wednesday, detailing how United will handle requests for exemption from shots based on medical reasons or religious beliefs.
United declined to say how many employees have been vaccinated recently, what percentage of employees are now vaccinated, or how many workers have requested exemptions.
The airline said that in most cases, employees who refuse vaccinations will not be allowed into the workplace from October 2. He will either be placed on unpaid leave or face termination proceedings, which could delay his departure to early October.
United says requests for medical exemptions will be judged by medical staff, including nurses, while requests for exemptions based on religious beliefs will be handled by personnel-office staff.
The process for handling exemption seekers will vary slightly depending on the employee’s job.
Employees whose waiver requests are denied will have another five weeks to face vaccination or termination. The policy becomes more complicated when workers receive medical or religious exemptions.
Employees who regularly come into contact with passengers, such as flight attendants, gate agents and pilots, and whose exemptions are approved, will face an indefinite unpaid leave from October 2. According to one of the memos.
Employees who rarely deal with instances of passengers include baggage handlers and mechanics and those whose exemptions have been approved will also be placed on leave, but only as long as the airline undergoes weekly tests and mandatory wearing of masks. does not come with a plan.
Headquarters employees whose exemptions are approved will be placed on leave until United decides on security measures, including whether the person is required to come to the office.
In explaining the rules to staff, United cited data on the pandemic situation in the US, where new infections are at their highest level since March and more people are likely to be hospitalized. Most of the cases, hospitalizations and unvaccinated people are dying, the memo said.
Chicago-based United has taken the strongest pro-vaccination stance among US airlines. Delta Air Lines says it will impose a $200 monthly surcharge on non-vaccinated employees who are covered under the company’s health plan. Others, including American Airlines, say they will cut paid leave for unconnected workers who contract COVID-19.
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