Owen Sound city hall. (photo by Claire McCormack)
The City of Owen Sound is implementing a Covid-19 immunization policy for employees, including council and committee members, city staff, volunteers and students.
According to a statement from the city, employees need to be fully immunized by Jan. 31, 2022 and receive any subsequently recommended booster shots. Those who aren’t vaccinated in accordance with the policy will be required to complete an education session about Covid immunization and submit to regular testing.
The policy would allow employees unable to get Covid shots for a reason related to a protected ground set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code to request an accommodation. Owen Sound’s Manager of Human Resources Annie Reed says in an email the most likely protected grounds for an accommodation request in relation to Covid immunization is for a medical reason. Another is for creed (religion).
“Employees who are approved for an accommodation under this process are required to complete regular rapid antigen testing,” Reed says.
City employees who choose not to receive their shots and do not request an accommodation under the Human Rights Code are required to complete a mandatory education session on the benefits of Covid-19 immunization.
“Employees who choose not to be immunized after completing the mandatory education session must complete a declaration stating they are not immunized and are required to complete regular rapid antigen testing,” Reed explains.
New city employees will be subject to the Covid immunization policy as a condition of employment, a release from the city says.
Mayor Ian Boddy says the vaccination policy is an important step towards increasing the safety of the workplace for staff, and also for those accessing city services.
“The health and safety of our residents, employees and our business community have been a key priority throughout the pandemic,” Boddy says in a statement.