The following message was distributed to all Conestoga employees on October 13 on behalf of Dean Bulloch, Associate Vice President, Human Resources.
Getting vaccinated is one of the most important ways to keep ourselves and our college community healthy. Though none of us can predict exactly how the pandemic will change over the months to January, we know that vaccination is the key to getting to a post-pandemic experience of teaching and learning. This is the right thing to do to protect the health and safety of everyone working at our Conestoga locations, and we are encouraged that many other organizations have taken similar measures.
We believe vaccines are the best way to keep our workplaces safe and help our communities reduce the spread of COVID-19. Our COVID Community Safety Policy effective September 7, 2020 is consistent with provincial regulations, public health and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and sets the requirements for all Conestoga employees, students, volunteers, contractors, and visitors accessing campus, to continue to protect the health and safety of our college community from the spread of COVID-19.
As a reminder, submit your proof of vaccination (1st or 2nd dose) or start the process for requesting an exemption by October 15, 2021. Please note that exemptions are limited to medical reasons and human rights-related grounds. Exemption requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and requesting an exemption does not guarantee that one will be granted by the college.
Employees who do not submit proof of their vaccination status or who have not requested an exemption by October 15, 2021, will be contacted by Human Resources to discuss non-compliance with our COVID Community Safety Policy. Employees who fail to comply with the COVID Community Safety Policy will be placed on a leave of absence without pay, effective January 2, 2022.
On Monday, October 18, we will begin assessing the potential impact of employee absences resulting from non-compliance with Conestoga’s COVID Community Safety Policy and working with managers and academic leaders for the purposes of program planning and administration.
You can verify your vaccination status via the mobile app, or through the desktop version: https://conestogac.apparmor.com/webapp/default.aspx?menu=Proof+of+Vaccination
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to ensure a safe working environment for all.
Dean Bulloch
AVP, Human Resources