Red Ventures announces new COVID shot requirements. Here’s what workers can expect.
One major Charlotte-area company announced new COVID-19 vaccine requirements starting next year.
Fort Mill-based Red Ventures will require all employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by March 1, company CEO Ric Elias told workers in an email Thursday afternoon.
Red Ventures is among the first private companies in the Charlotte area to announce vaccine requirements following a federal mandate. Local hospital systems Atrium Health and Novant Health announced vaccine requirements for employees in July.
Medical and religious exemptions will be accepted, but frequent testing for COVID-19 will not be allowed as an alternative to vaccination. Previous infections and recovery from COVID-19 also will not be accepted, according to the email.
“We believe in leaving the woodpile higher than we found it,” Elias said in the email. “We believe in being the change we wish to see in the world. If we truly believe in both of those statements, then we should be doing everything within our power to make not just our offices but our communities safe places for people and business to return to.”
And the internet marketing company will change its in-office policy too, Elias said in the email. Starting Jan. 3, anyone in any Red Ventures office — including employees, vendors and visitors — must be vaccinated.
Previously, Red Ventures had announced separate office hours for vaccinated and unvaccinated employees.
The company reopened its headquarters in Fort Mill, S.C., in August on a voluntary basis. None of the company’s 3,500 worldwide employees will be required to return to an office this year.
Roughly 1,400 Red Ventures employees are based in the Charlotte area.
More than 90% of Red Ventures employees in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Brazil told the company they were already vaccinated in an October survey, Elias said in the email.
The vaccination plan was released ahead of the federal government’s requirement that private employers of 100 or more people require employees to be vaccinated or tested weekly by January. The Red Ventures plan goes beyond that requirement, mandating vaccines without a testing alternative.
“I know this decision won’t be supported by all,” Elias said in the email to employees. “I respect and understand that everyone will do what they feel is best individually and, for some, that may mean choosing to leave RV.”
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 4:56 PM.
.jpg)