WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.–At least two more credit unions have announced they will require their employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus as a condition of their employment.
As CUToday.info reported here, the $1.6-billion Credit Union of Texas in Allen, Texas said it will require vaccinations as it brings employees back to work.
In North Carolina, Allegacy FCU, which has approximately 400 employees, said in a memo from CEO Cathy Pace that employees are required “to complete the vaccination process” by Sept. 30, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
“By that time, the front and backs of the vaccination cards will need to be submitted to the credit union’s human resources department,” the report stated.
In the memo and in a statement to the Winston-Salem Journal, Pace said Allegacy has taken the mandatory action based on most of North Carolina being in the high or substantial risk category for the Delta variant.
“While we know the three Ws — wearing a mask, washing hands and waiting six feet apart — are helpful in slowing the spread, we also realize that it’s not enough to end this pandemic,” Pace said in the memo. “Additional measures are being put into place to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the Allegacy team. With guidance from the CDC and our local medical partners at Novant and Wake Forest Baptist Health, we understand that the best course of action for ending the pandemic and saving lives is vaccination.”
Masks Required
Effective Aug. 2, Allegacy required all unvaccinated employees, vendors and visitors to wear a mask in all public areas of the credit union, while it is highly recommended in those spaces for the vaccinated, the publication stated.
“According to opponents of the vaccination mandate, about half of Allegacy’s workforce has not submitted vaccination cards as of (Aug. 7),” the Journal reported.
Allegacy told the publication on Aug. 8 that “while we have already received a large number of submissions, at this time we don’t have the total number of team members that have been fully vaccinated.”
Pace said in the statement the credit union “weighed all possible reactions when we made this decision. We believe the health and wellbeing of our team members, members and the communities we serve is what matters most. We hope that other businesses will stand with us alongside our medical community to help put an end to this pandemic.”
Hawaii State FCU Also Requiring Vaccinations
Meanwhile, on Maui, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union announced it too will require all of its 369 employees on Oahu and Maui to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 1.
Currently, 78% of Hawaii State FCU’s employees are fully vaccinated, according to a news release.
“The goal of our vaccine mandate is to protect our members, employees, and the broader community from COVID-19 infection,” said Andrew Rosen, president and CEO of Hawaii State FCU, according to Maui News. “It is clear that vaccination against COVID-19 is one of the greatest tools available to lessen the spread within our community and protect from severe illness and hospitalization. With more businesses requiring the vaccine as a condition of employment, I’m hopeful we’ll see an end to this pandemic soon.”
All three credit unions said accommodations will be provided to employees who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons. Those requesting accommodation will be required to provide certifications, Hawaii State said, and they will also be required to test regularly for COVID-19 and may be subject to job modifications.
Paid Time Off & Separation Agreements
As CUToday.info reported, Credit Union of Texas said that as part of its employee vaccination incentives, it 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.