More than 90 per cent of Citigroup employees have complied with the mandate so far and that figure is rising rapidly, according to a source familiar with the matter, adding that the timing of the vaccination mandate would be different for branch staff.
When it announced its policy, Citigroup also said it would assess exemptions on religious or medical grounds, or any other accommodation by state or local law, on a case-by-case basis.
Divisive issue
The bank said then it was complying with the policy of US President Joe Biden’s administration requiring all workers supporting government contracts to be fully vaccinated, as the government was a “large and important” client.
“You are welcome to apply for other roles at Citi in the future as long as you are compliant with Citi’s vaccination policy,” the bank said in the memo. “If you are not vaccinated, we urge you to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Vaccination has become a divisive issue in the United States, as it has in many countries around the world, with some people fiercely opposed and many Republicans critical of mandates imposed by governments and businesses.
The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Friday (Saturday AEDT) over requests by Republican state officials and business groups to block a Biden administration mandate that requires firms with more than 100 workers that to require employees be vaccinated or tested weekly.
Columbia Business School professor Adam Galinsky, who advises companies on their return-to-office strategies, said many firms initially welcomed the mandate because it took the matter out of their hands.
“However, companies are recognising that the Biden mandate may not hold up at the conservative Supreme Court,” he said. “If it doesn’t hold then they are going to have the decision put back in their hands and they will have to do something.”
Delays in return to office
Many financial firms have pushed back their return-to-office plans and are encouraging staff to get…