United Airlines will fire employees who refused to get vaccinated: Report

United Airlines revealed earlier this week that it would be terminating employees who will not comply with its vaccination policy where everyone is required to be vaccinated. It was said that with the carrier’s decision, around 600 staff could be fired.

As per Reuters, United Airlines has become the very first airline in the United States to require its local employees to get their COVID-19 vaccine. In the coming week, the company will start demanding for proof of vaccination.

By Tuesday next week, United Airlines will begin the process of employee terminations, and those who prefer to skip vaccination will be affected. If they cannot present proof of inoculation, hundreds may already lose their jobs by next month.

The air carrier’s chief executive officer, Scott Kirby, and president Brett Hart said in a joint memo to the employees that this is also a difficult decision for them. However, their first priority is the safety of the team, so they will let those who will not be vaccinated go.

Then again, United Airlines will still give its employees a chance. They can avoid being fired and continue working for the company if they will get vaccinated before their formal termination meetings take place.

For its vaccination policy, the airline reportedly received many requests for exemptions. Workers have submitted pleas to be exempted from the vaccine requirement for medical and religious reasons.

The company is planning to place those who were granted religious exemptions on temporary, unpaid personal leave starting Oct. 2, but this was put on hold due to the lawsuit that was filed by six employees. They are challenging the policy of putting exempt workers on unpaid leave.

At any rate, The Hill reported that about 99% of United Airlines employees have already presented proof of vaccination prior to the deadline on Monday. It will proceed to terminate those who will continue to refuse inoculation.

“Our rationale for requiring the vaccine for all United’s US-based employees was simple - to keep our people safe - and the truth is this: everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated, and vaccine requirements work,” the executives of United Airlines explained through a memo.