Apple CEO Tim Cook recently commented on possible mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for employees. Now the company wants to know the vaccination status of employees at certain locations.
According to The Verge reporter Zoe Schiffer Apple has released guidance on vaccinations as the company prepares to bring more employees back to the office. Specifically, the tech giant wants to know whether returning employees are vaccinated in order to minimize potential virus transmission. Apple's guidance states:
Apple is asking our team members in certain locations to share their current vaccination status. They can confidentially share whether they are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, or prefer not to share.
Apple considers mandatory vaccination for its workforce
It's important to note that Apple does not deny access to its facilities to employees who have not received a vaccination. Additional precautions are implemented at locations that host unvaccinated employees or those who are unwilling to disclose their vaccination status. According to Schiffer, Apple's internal HR website states:
If you do not provide your vaccination status, you will be assumed unvaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and work on-site in an Apple building, additional health and safety protocols may apply.
It's unknown when Apple implemented its vaccination policy. Interestingly, Cook recently confirmed that the company is considering mandatory vaccinations for its workforce. In a brief statement to CNBC regarding Google's recent decision to require vaccinations, Cook said that Apple is "monitoring things daily to determine whether or not this is the right response." (Photo by Unsplash / Carles Rabada)
