Nearly 600 City of Ottawa employees placed on unpaid leave due to proof-of-vaccination policy
Posted Nov 15, 2021 09:21:00 PM.
The City of Ottawa says 592 of its employees, across all departments, are not complying with its new COVID-19 proof-of-vaccination policy, and have been placed on unpaid leave.
The City of Ottawa’s Mandatory Vaccination Policy, which requires all employees, contractors, students and volunteers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, came into effect on Monday, November 15, 2021.
City Manager Steve Kanellakos writes in a Monday memo to the mayor and city council, 96 per cent of active city employees are fully vaccinated.
Of the remaining 4 per cent (592 employees), 400 have not yet reported their vaccination status, 72 are partially vaccinated and 120 are either not vaccinated or had an exemption that was denied.
Kanellakos explains, the city does not anticipate significant impacts to service as a result of the enforcement of its vaccination policy, however, some targeted service disruptions or delays may be experienced should a department need to implement a mitigation plan to maintain business continuity.
OC Transpo is reporting approximately 95 per cent compliance with the mandate. Of the 1,500 available operators (including Para Transpo), 58 operators are non-compliant. There are no major service disruptions at this time, says Kanellakos.
“There may be an impact on a small number of trips,” he writes. “OC Transpo is monitoring and making adjustments hourly to mitigate trip cancellations.”
The city issued a one-time proof-of-vaccination deadline extension on November 1, to ensure as many employees were vaccinated against COVID-19 as possible.
The employees placed on leave can return to their jobs once they demonstrate they are fully vaccinated, or have an approved exemption.
“Protecting the health and safety of our workforce and community remains a top priority,” says Kanellakos. “I would like to once again thank all of those who have done their part to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our community and in our workplace.”
