COVID-19 Team Update: Vaccine Mandate Noncompliance – Potential Disciplinary Actions
As you know, all Smithsonian Institution employees (federal and trust) must be fully immunized against COVID-19 by November 22, 2021. Proof of vaccination must be submitted to Occupational Health Services (OHS) by November 8, 2021 unless you have requested a medical or religious exception. Those who fail to comply with Smithsonian’s vaccine mandate will be in violation of following instructions and are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination or removal.
Non-compliant employees could first receive a letter of counseling, followed by a suspension if they still decide not to be vaccinated, and then could be terminated/removed from service. Any disciplinary action will follow Smithsonian processes, including any policies or collective bargaining agreement requirements. Discipline will be stopped if an employee begins the vaccination process or submits an exception request.
The disciplinary actions described here do not apply to affiliated staff (including volunteers, interns, and fellows). Affiliated staff who do not provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by November 8, 2021 and who have not requested a medical or religious exception will receive counselling and then could lose their affiliation if they fail to comply. Contractors will receive additional guidance from their COTRs.
Religious and medical exceptions are still under consideration. Determinations and notifications have not yet been made. We recognize that employees may find it difficult to wait for information about their requests for an exception and possible accommodations. Until determinations are made, the Smithsonian will not take any action involving the vaccine mandate against any employee with a pending exception request.
If you have not been vaccinated or submitted an exception request, there is still time and opportunity! Please make an appointment to receive your shot as soon as possible! To learn more about the benefits and importance of vaccination, please visit Smithsonian’s collaborative Vaccines&US website.
If you have been vaccinated and have not yet reported your status to OHS, do not delay! Submit your proof of vaccination as soon as possible – it will only take a few minutes. To make sure you are counted, please do one of the following:
- Email an image of your documentation to Occupational Health Services (OHS) at OHS-MedicalReview@si.edu,
- Fax your documentation to OHS at 202-312-1914, or
- Bring your document into an OHS clinic for OHS staff to digitize and return the hard copy to you.
To learn more about the vaccine mandate, view the approved types of vaccine documentation, and watch videos about why Smithsonian’s Under Secretaries decided to become vaccinated, visit Smithsonian’s Get Vaccinated website.
Stay safe, be well, and get vaccinated!
COVID-19 Response Team
s.si.edu/COVID-19
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Posted: 29 October 2021
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