Large companies implement strict COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Employees at large companies such as Google and banks will be put on unpaid leave or even lose their jobs if they don’t abide by their company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Google employees had until December 3 to submit proof of their vaccination status or apply for medical or religious exemptions.

Employees who do not comply with the policy by January 18 will be put on “paid administrative leave” for 30 days. If workers do not submit the proper documentation after 30 days, they will be placed on “unpaid personal leave” for up to six months. Those who still refuse to get vaccinated will be fired.

“Our vaccination requirements are one of the most important ways we can keep our workforce safe and keep our services running,” said a Google spokesperson.

“We expect that almost all roles at Google in the US will fall within the scope of the executive order,” said an internal memo obtained by CNBC. “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.”

JPMorgan Chase & Co took similar measures. On Tuesday, America’s largest bank announced that unvaccinated workers in their Manhattan offices had to work from home.

As part of JP Morgan’s new rule, only vaccinated employees and visitors can visit the offices, according to a spokesperson for the bank. Furthermore, masks will be required in their buildings.

“We are taking this step because we have very high rates of vaccination amongst our employees,” according to an internal company memo. “With rates well above 90%, it seems unfair to require our vaccinated employees to wear masks all day at their desks, and would be a step that would slow the progress we’ve already made towards business normalcy.”

“We continue to agree with health authorities that being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe — especially as we face the winter months and a new variant — so please consider getting vaccinated if you aren’t already, and getting your booster if you are,” the memo said.

Other large companies have taken other measures to prevent a further spread of the virus amid a surge of COVID-19 cases. Kroger announced on Tuesday that it will no longer give paid emergency leave for unvaccinated employees with the virus. Apple also said that it will require masks for all customers in its U.S. stores.