The Walt Disney Company will soon require all United States-based salaried and non-union hourly employees to be vaccinated. Disney is also in discussion with union leaders as well for this requirement. It comes as the pandemic is in the midst of a surge across much of the United States. As the Delta variant continues to surge, those who are unvaccinated are the most severely affected.
Disney released a statement that said:
“At The Walt Disney Company, the safety and well-being of our employees during the pandemic has been and continues to be a top priority. Toward that end, and based on the latest recommendations of scientists, health officials and our own medical professionals that the COVID-19 vaccine provides the best protection against severe infection, we are requiring that all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. working at any of our sites be fully vaccinated. Employees who aren’t already vaccinated and are working on-site will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols and any employees still working from home will need to provide verification of vaccination prior to their return, with certain limited exceptions. We have also begun conversations around this topic with the unions representing our employees under collective bargaining agreements. In addition, all new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated before beginning employment. Vaccines are the best tool we all have to help control this global pandemic and protect our employees.”
The Walt Disney Company
Disney is the most recent of many large companies to require vaccination as the pandemic continues to impact the globe. Recently, Netflix announced that it would require both cast and crew members in its productions to be vaccinated. Other companies that have mandated vaccinations include Google, Facebook, Twitter, The Washington Post, Lyft, and Uber.
This new requirement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in both Florida and California, where Disney has theme parks and also its studios. It also comes as Disney mandated that masks be worn indoors and on all forms of transportation by both guests and cast members starting today.
What do you think of this new requirement by Disney for vaccinations? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
