Goldman Sachs is making its U.S. employees report whether they’ve taken one of the Covid-19 vaccines, according to an internal memo sent this week.
Employees must inform the New York-based bank by noon Thursday on their status, according to the memo. Last month, Goldman told its workforce that they should be ready to return to offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom by June 14.
“Registering your vaccination status allows us to plan for a safer return to the office for all of our people as we continue to abide by local public health measures,” the bank said in the memo. “As a result, it is mandatory that you submit your vaccination status on the Canopy app, whether or not you are vaccinated.”
While it is legal for companies to ask workers about their vaccination status, they must keep that information confidential. Many employers have been loath to force staff to take the vaccine or provide evidence of shots, instead relying on an honor system.
Until now, disclosing vaccination status had been voluntary at the investment bank, which has about 40,000 employees globally, according to the New York Times’ DealBook, which first reported on the memo. Only those workers who hadn’t already told the bank about their status got the message, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Goldman employees are being asked to post the date and brand of their jab, but don’t have to provide evidence of the vaccination, according to the Times.
“While we strongly encourage you to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we understand that the choice to get vaccinated is a personal one,” the bank said in the memo.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
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