Few Hundred Google Staff Members Sign Manifesto Rejecting Vaccine Mandate

Several hundred Google Staff members have written and shared a manifesto protesting the company’s vaccine mandate, creating the latest obstacle for management as a major target for staff to return to their workplaces approaches. The Biden government has directed that all U.S. businesses with 100 or more employees guarantee that their staff are completely vaccinated or periodically tested for COVID-19 by January 4. As per internal papers obtained by CNBC, Google has urged its more than 150,000 workers to turn-in their vaccination certificates to its internal operations by Dec. 3, whether they intend to come to the office or otherwise.

“Immunization is critical to our capacity to ensure that everyone’s healthy to return to work and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our organization,” said Chris Rackow, Google’s VP of security, in an email sent at the end of October. Rackow claimed that the corporation was already in the process of adopting standards, therefore the adjustments from Biden’s executive action were “minor.” His email offered staff until Nov. 12 to request exclusions for reasons such as religious beliefs or physical issues, and stated that cases will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The manifesto within Google, supported by at least 600 Googlers, requests business executives to withdraw the vaccine mandate and replace it with one that is “inclusive of all Googlers,” noting that leadership’s choice will have a disproportionate impact in corporate America. It also encourages employees to “reject the requirement as a point of principle” and advises them not to let the policy change their minds if they have already decided not to get the COVID-19 vaccination. The declaration comes as a majority of Google’s staff prepares to return to actual workplaces 3 days a week beginning January 10.

A Google spokeswoman stated that the business stands by its policy. “As we’ve told all of our workers and the author of this letter, vaccination mandates are one of the most critical ways we can keep our staff safe and our services functioning.” We stand solidly behind our immunization policy.” Immunization is a conundrum not only for Google but for major corporations as well. As per Johns Hopkins research, the COVID-19 virus has been responsible for 772,570 fatalities in the United States. Despite its established efficiency in delivering a high degree of protection against hospitalization and mortality, the government is facing difficulties in convincing millions of individuals to receive their first dosage.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, said in July that individuals returning to work will be required to receive immunizations. Pichai stated in October that the San Francisco Bay Area locations, which are close to its headquarters, are up to 30% full, while New York has observed almost half of its staff return. Workers who do not want to get vaccinations would be permitted to work from home, he said at the time. Other initiatives have been taken by the corporation to get their staff vaccinated. As per the manifesto, Joe Kava, Google’s vice president of data centers, announced a USD 5,000 vaccine incentive spot bonus for U.S. data center personnel.