Intel will place all unvaccinated employees on unpaid leave

Intel has announced it will place all unvaccinated US employees on unpaid leave starting next April. The company took this step following other global IT giants, for example, Google.

US processor maker Intel said unvaccinated US workers who do not receive exemptions for religious or medical reasons will be required to take unpaid leave starting April 4, 2022. Such leave will last at least three months.

Last month, the company told its U.S. employees that Jan. 4 was the deadline to get a COVID-19 vaccine or receive a medical exemption. The company's current announcement of sanctions only emphasizes that its plans remain in force, writes the Associated Press. In a note to employees, Intel Chief Human Resources Officer Christy Pambianchi said employees who have not been vaccinated by this date will have to seek a medical exemption or religious excuse. To continue working in spring 2022, unvaccinated employees will need to provide a medical exemption by January 15th. In addition, such workers will have to undergo weekly PCR testing for coronavirus, regardless of whether they continue to work remotely or go to the office.

• Global companies, one after another, are demanding that employees get vaccinated against coronavirus and are announcing sanctions for those who do not. In mid-December, Google threatened employees with loss of pay and dismissal if they did not adhere to the company's Covid vaccination policy. Corporation employees have two options. The first is to declare that they have been vaccinated and upload the appropriate documentation. The second is to request an exemption from this obligation for medical or religious reasons. Employees who fail to comply by Jan. 18 will first be placed on paid leave for 30 days, followed by unpaid leave for up to six months, followed by termination.