Posted on 01/03/22
| News Source: WSJ
Starbucks is requiring its U.S. employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19 or submit to regular testing, one of the first large restaurant chains to take such a step ahead of potential federal vaccination mandates for large employers.
Starbucks said Monday that workers in its U.S. cafes, offices and manufacturing plants must be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or get tested weekly. Workers who choose testing must have a pharmacist or doctor administer it instead of taking one at home, and workers will need to themselves obtain and cover any costs for the tests, the company said in a message to U.S. stores.
U.S. workers must disclose their vaccination status by Jan. 10, Starbucks said. The company had previously allowed baristas to report their vaccination status on a voluntary basis.
Starbucks Chief Operating Officer John Culver wrote in a message to employees last week that he understands that workers have a range of views on vaccination. But Mr. Culver said Starbucks is strongly encouraging all workers to get vaccinated, particularly as the Omicron variant spreads.
“My responsibility, and that of every leader, is to do whatever we can to help keep you safe and to create the safest work environment possible,” Mr. Culver wrote.