Piedmont University’s human resources office has alerted faculty and staff that the university will require all employees, including student workers, to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 3 or face termination.
The school sent university student workers and employees a notice on Wednesday, Oct. 20, stating that due to the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) direction to issue a vaccination mandate, the university would be requiring vaccination to “ensure compliance with upcoming regulations.”
Piedmont University President James Mellichamp did not provide comment to Now Habersham regarding why the institution took an approach of employment termination, nor did he address concerns that student workers have shared that the mandate impedes on personal medical choice.
“The university does not publicly comment on personnel policies,” Mellichamp said. He also did not elaborate on whether or not a vaccine mandate could be in the future for Piedmont students.
All university employees must comply with the following vaccination dates or have their employment with the university terminated:
- Pfizer vaccine: first dose no later than October 30; second dose no later than November 19.
- Moderna vaccine: first dose no later than October 22; second dose no later than November 19.
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine: single dose no later than November 19.
After employees receive a vaccine, they should report their vaccination status with proof of vaccination to the University via the Piedmont App. Employees who cannot be vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons must contact the university’s human resources department by Nov. 1 with a written request for exemption along with supporting documentation.
