FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2021
Media Contact:
Rachel Davis, Communications Director/Press Secretary, Office of Mayor Liccardo, 408.712.9149
SAN JOSÉ, CA - Today, the City of San Jose released an update on the current mandatory vaccination policy for all city employees after discussions with employee unions. The deadline for all employees to be vaccinated occurred on September 30, 2021--the update to the policy will allow unvaccinated individuals, without a religious or medical exemption, a one week ‘grace period’ to seek vaccination before being placed on a one-week unpaid suspension, the first step in the disciplinary process. Unvaccinated employees will be required to test negative twice a week at their own time and expense.
“San Jose doesn’t want to push anyone out of their employment with the city, but we have a responsibility to continue to deliver critical city services, safely, to our residents,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “We know new variants are emerging, which only furthers the need to ensure we have a vaccinated workforce. Our ability to provide essential services to our community without increased risk of interruptions from exposures depends on it.”
The City continues to be mindful of service impacts, and those employees who remain unvaccinated will be given staggered disciplinary one-week suspensions, as the City works to reduce potential service impacts and give employees additional opportunities to get vaccinated. Unvaccinated employees going through the disciplinary process will remain in the workplace with the expectation that they will comply with required testing. Employees will be given a final opportunity to comply with the City’s Mandatory Vaccination policy prior to a final notice of discipline being served to them.
“I'm proud of City staff who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to provide ongoing essential services as our community depends on us,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “The fully implemented mandated vaccination policy will continue to support this key goal and will also help ensure our community’s and employees’ safety.”
Employees who have received 1 dose of a COVID vaccine by October 1st or during the disciplinary process will be given reasonable time to receive their 2nd dose and will not be subject to disciplinary action unless they fail to receive their 2nd dose. The City will also consider further action for those that remain unvaccinated after December 31, 2021, which may include disciplinary action up to, and including termination.
Employees who have submitted requests for religious and medical exemptions are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and qualified employees are able to submit negative COVID-19 test results twice a week. Testing can be done on employees off-work hours or using their available leave balances. Failure to provide the test results twice a week will result in the employee being placed on unpaid leave until t they submit negative test results.
The city continues to make significant progress in increasing the Citywide vaccination rate and remains hopeful this will continue to improve. Workforce vaccination has increased from an 89% to 92% in recent weeks.
The Police department has increased from 82% vaccinated to 86% vaccinated as of September 24th. The Fire department is also at a 92% vaccination rate.
Continuing to make progress on the city employee vaccination rate is critically important, especially as new COVID outbreaks emerge and we work to keep our employees and residents safe.
To watch the media availability in English or Spanish, visit here.
###
About the City of San José
With more than one million residents, San José comprises the 10th largest city in the United States, and one of its most diverse cities. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center in the heart of Silicon Valley has resulted in the world's greatest concentration of technology talent and development.
68℉