Providence Hospital System has announced new mandatory COVID requirements for its workers, including receiving the latest COVID-19 vaccines or face unpaid leave or even job termination.
According to the new announcement, all employees will be required to receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine, which was recently granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA.
“PROVIDENCE FAMILY OF ORGANIZATIONS – We’ve all heard that cases of COVID-19 are on the rise, and the latest updates to COVID-19 vaccines are proving effective at preventing serious illness from the latest strains. We updated our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, and caregivers need to receive the most up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine available,” according to the post obtained by X user Chester Tam.
The Providence Family of Organizations is a network of US not-for-profit healthcare organizations and the largest Catholic healthcare system in the country, boasting 1,000 clinics, 50 hospitals, and 120,000 employees.
Employees must provide proof of vaccination by November 30, and those who choose not to be vaccinated can submit a “declination form.”
Those who do not comply will “be removed from the schedule, placed on unpaid leave, and may be subject to termination.”
The announcement outlined several key requirements for workers:
- All caregivers must receive the newest vaccine and provide proof of vaccination by November 30.
- Employees who opt not to get vaccinated may submit a declination form. Those who already have an approved exemption do not need to submit a new declination.
- Employees who fail to comply by the November 30 deadline may be removed from the schedule, placed on unpaid leave, and could face termination for continued non-compliance.
- Caregivers who are fully remote and never report to an office are encouraged to be vaccinated but are not required to participate.
Health workers who refuse the mandatory COVID vaccines could be out of the job.
The organization, which claims it is committed to the health of all, “especially those who are poor and vulnerable,” is now preparing to cast aside its employees who want to exercise their personal freedom.
The news comes just a day after two California high schools canceled football games because of COVID-19 cases among students.
Sparto High School near Sacramento said it canceled a game after six players tested positive for COVID-19.
The school also stated that multiple players were also injured.
The news comes amid reports of impending COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to be reimplemented across the country.
Meanwhile, a high school north of Los Angeles also confirmed it canceled a football game against a rival school after multiple COVID-19 cases were confirmed among its players.
“We have an outbreak,” Santa Paula Assistant Principal Daniel Guzman told the Ventura County Star. “The number is rising.”
READ: Former White House COVID Adviser: Saying “Masks Work” Is like Saying “The Earth Is Flat”
