Get vaccinated or get fired, face pay cut: Google warns employees

USA: Google has told its employees that they will lose their salaries and eventually be fired if they fail to fully vaccinate themselves and follow COVID-19 rules as mandated by the United States (US) administration.

Google gave its employees time till 3 December to upload proof of vaccination or receive approval for a medical or religious exemption.

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According to an internal memo obtained by CNBC, anyone who doesn't do either of those things by 13 January will be placed on a 30-day paid administrative leave.

"If they're still not in compliance after the 30 days, they could face unpaid leave for up to six months and then be terminated," the memo read.

Most US employees will fall under their vaccine requirements, which stems from President Joe Biden's executive order.

The US administration has ordered companies with 100 or more workers to ensure their employees are fully vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19 by 18 January.

A Google spokesperson told The Verge on Tuesday: "As we've stated before, our vaccination requirements are one of the most important ways we can keep our workforce safe and keep our services running. We're committed to doing everything possible to help our employees who can get vaccinated do so, and firmly stand behind our vaccination policy."

As the Omicron variant threat looms, Google is also reconsidering its plans to ask full-time employees to return to offices by 10 January.

The company has changed its return to work plans several times as the pandemic evolved.

In August, when the delta variant was a top concern, Google had announced plans for hybrid return-to-work till 10 January 2022.

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