ALLEN, Texas—In a decision being debated by credit union management and in CU boardrooms across the country, the $1.6-billion Credit Union of Texas is requiring that employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of their employment.
Currently, 70% of CUTX’s 496 employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to CUTX.
Texas is among the states leading the country with new COVID infections, with the Lone Star State recording almost 17,000 new cases on Saturday, a single-day figure not seen since February.
The credit union reported the new effort builds on CUTX’s stringent safety and sanitizing protocols practiced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and serves to “honor its ongoing commitment to the communities it serves.”
Team members with medical and religious exceptions can request an exemption from the vaccine requirement, and employees will have until Sept. 20, 2021, to receive a full vaccination, the CU said.
“We have a fundamental obligation to provide a safe workplace, which we take very seriously, and the health and wellbeing of our employees and members have always been a top priority for CUTX,” said CUTX CEO Eric Pointer. “Following the precedent of other prominent companies taking a leadership role in this vital effort, we will reward our employees for doing their part and make it easy for them to receive a vaccine. With the continued risk of COVID-19 and the rise of new variants, we also want to play a role in supporting our communities’ vaccination efforts and provide our members with safe locations staffed by fully vaccinated team members that they can feel comfortable visiting.”
Employees Offered Paid Time Off
As part of its employee vaccination incentives, CUTX has provided all vaccinated team members with four hours of paid time off, a benefit that will be extended to all remaining employees. In addition, CUTX said it will give current and future vaccinated employees a $500 bonus and will offer vaccines at various locations available to all employees and families.
“Those who wish to terminate their employment will receive a generous separation agreement,” the CU stated in a release. “Throughout the pandemic, CUTX has maintained a rigorous health and safety protocol at all of its locations and corporate office, including weekly, rapid COVID-19 and antibody testing at no cost to employees as well as rigorous sanitizing procedures. Because of its efforts, CUTX has experienced zero employee layoffs and no reduction in hours or wages due to the pandemic."
As CUToday.info has reported in its ongoing series addressing workers returning to the office, the Delta variant is impacting employers' decisions. CUToday.info has also reported that employers must carefully address COVID-19 vaccination, as there are many legal and human resource issues to consider.