Calgary,
06
October
2021
|
16:20
America/Denver

City implements COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees

CALGARY - The City of Calgary will require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination by Nov. 1, 2021. City Manager David Duckworth says the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy will protect City employees and citizens while ensuring continued delivery of City services.

“The safety of City employees and our citizens will always be our top priority,” says City Manager David Duckworth. “Vaccines are proven to be safe and effective to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This Policy is intended to maximize vaccination rates among City employees. With COVID-19 cases on the rise at an alarming rate, this is the responsible thing to do as public servants.”

Highlights of the Vaccination Policy:

  • All employees must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination by Nov. 1, 2021. Proof of vaccination records will be kept confidential and used only as required to administer the Policy.
  • The Policy applies to all City of Calgary employees, regardless of workplace or worksite location, including those who are remote working or have a telework agreement in place. To ensure a safe workplace, there will be a separate policy developed which will require that contractors and volunteers entering a City owned and operated worksite be fully vaccinated.
  • Employees who cannot be vaccinated based on a protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act may request an exemption through The City's human resources portal. When an exemption is granted, employees must participate in the Rapid Testing Program on an ongoing basis. At-home testing kits will be available at no cost to employees who are granted an exemption.
  • Employees who fail to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination by Nov. 1, 2021 will be given further opportunity to comply during the period of Nov. 1, 2021 to Dec. 1, 2021, inclusive, during which time they will be required to:
  1. attend a mandatory online education program about the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccinations; and,
  2. participate in the Rapid Testing Program. At home testing kits will be made available to employees at no cost between Nov. 1, 2021 and Dec. 1, 2021, inclusive.
  • Employees who fail to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination by Dec. 1, 2021 will be required to continue to participate in the Rapid Testing Program on their own time and at their own expense. Tests must be completed by an authorized vendor and no at-home testing kits will be made available to employees after Dec. 1, 2021. Employees may become fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination at any time after Nov. 1, 2021, in which case they will no longer be required to participate in the Rapid Testing Program.
  • Employees who fail to comply with any of the requirements to attend the mandatory online education program and/or participate in the Rapid Testing Program will be placed on an immediate leave of absence for a minimum of 30 days. The leave of absence will be unpaid unless the employee has accrued/banked vacation or other banked time available to use during the leave of absence. The leave of absence will end early and the employee will be permitted to return to work if they become fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination prior to expiry of the leave period.
  • Employees who have not become fully vaccinated and provided proof of vaccination or agreed to comply with the requirements set out above prior to expiry of the leave of absence will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Resources and supports are available for employees struggling with issues relating to the pandemic through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). Information on the Vaccination Policy is available on calgary.ca.

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