CALGARY – All WestJet employees will have to be fully vaccinated by October 30, the company announced Wednesday.
And all employees hired after that date will have to be vaccinated as a condition of being hired.
“Protecting the health and safety of our guests and staff remains our number one priority, and vaccinations are our best line of defense,” said Mark Porter, Executive Vice President of WestJet.
“Aviation has been one of the hardest hit industries and we believe it is the right thing to do to require all WestJet Group employees to be vaccinated and to ensure a safe working and travel environment. WestJet’s best for everyone in the world.”
Accommodations will be made for employees who cannot be vaccinated due to medical or other exemptions.
Employees who do not disclose their immunization status by September 24 or fully vaccinated by October 30 will have to take unpaid leave or contract termination. Testing will not be considered an alternative.
“The WestJet Group remains committed to building back even stronger to ensure the aviation industry is competitive in Canada,” said Mr. Porter. “Required that all employees be immunized against COVID-19 is essential to safely restarting travel across Canada.”
