Starbucks is demanding that its employees in the United States be vaccinated against Covid-19 or undergo routine testing, the company said on Monday. According to Starbucks, workers in stores, offices and production units in the US will need to be vaccinated by February. 9th or undergo weekly test. The test would have to be done by a pharmacist or doctor and the employee would have to bear the cost, the company said, adding that workers would have to disclose their vaccination status by January 10.
Starbucks COO John Culver said in a message to employees last week that while he understands there are different opinions among network employees about vaccinations, he is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. “It is my responsibility and every leader’s responsibility to help keep them safe and create the safest working environment,” he said.
Last month, a federal appeals court reinstated Joe Biden’s government rules requiring companies with 100 or more employees to ensure their employees are vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19. The US Labor Department said in December that employers would have until February 9 to comply with the rules.
Starbucks is one of the first major US restaurant chains to announce that it will meet the requirements. Many restaurants are struggling to hire and retain employees, and owners fear the rules will complicate matters further. Source: Dow Jones Newswire.
