Unvaccinated York Region workers face job termination

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 4, 2021

Close to 300 unvaccinated Region of York employees could be on unpaid leave by Nov. 8.

The region had given its 4,704 workers until Nov. 1 to provide proof they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

As of Nov. 2, 294 employees were either unvaccinated or undisclosed, said Patrick Casey, the region’s director of corporate communications.

Two per cent indicated they were partially vaccinated, while 92 per cent -- 4,337 employees -- had provided proof of double vaccination, he said.

Workers who fail to comply with the mandatory vaccine policy or do not disclose their status will be placed on unpaid leave as early as next week.

Partially vaccinated employees, regardless of working arrangements, must submit proof of regular testing, at their own expense, between Nov. 8 and Nov. 18. At that point, if they haven’t provided proof of their second dose, they, too, will be placed on unpaid leave Nov. 22, Casey said.

Any employee who does not provide proof of vaccination by Jan. 3 will be terminated, effective Jan. 5, 2022.

Those who have valid medical or other human rights-based exemptions will be considered for appropriate accommodation, he said.

Like many public sector employers, the region took these steps because the Delta variant is targeting the unvaccinated and vulnerable, including children not yet eligible to receive a vaccine, Casey said.

The mandatory vaccination policy helps protect staff, their co-workers and families, he said, adding, “the region remains committed in our fight against COVID-19.”