LANL Director Thom Mason
Staff Report
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Director Thom Mason issued the following memo dated Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 to employees detailing the latest update on mandatory vaccination exemptions and deadlines:
To: LANL All
From: Thom Mason, DIR, A100
Date: September 20, 2021
Subject: Update on Mandatory Vaccination Exemptions and Deadlines
Since I announced the vaccination mandate, about 1,000 additional employees and contractors have received vaccination or submitted a copy of their vaccination card. This is very encouraging, and I thank each of them for making this decision that I recognize was difficult for some.
During this same period, a number of medical and religious exemption requests have been processed. A small number of medical exemptions have been granted and we are working to put in place appropriate accommodations as prescribed by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) to protect the health of these individuals and their coworkers. These accommodations will be communicated to the managers of the employees granted medical exemptions.
We are also processing a larger number of religious exemption requests. After careful consideration of the most current data regarding infection rates and modeling projections of the likely future course of the pandemic, I have made the decision that the only accommodation the Laboratory can provide at this time for those granted religious exemptions is to take vacation or Leave without Pay (LWOP) effective October 15. On October 15, staff who have been granted a religious exemption will be placed on LWOP status or may use vacation until the Laboratory determines the threat of COVID-19 has diminished sufficiently to allow them to return to work.
I realize that this decision has implications for those who have sought a religious exemption, and that the remaining timeframe for making a decision to get vaccinated is quickly approaching. All employees who begin the vaccination series prior to October 1 will be able to continue employment while becoming fully vaccinated, provided they comply with all requirements related to COVID-19, including prompt completion of the vaccination process.
If you have not begun the vaccination process nor applied for an exemption before October 1, we will start the process for termination of employment effective October 15. Some employees who initially decided not to become vaccinated may change their minds and receive their first shot between October 1–15. These employees will not be terminated, but will be placed on LWOP or vacation until fully vaccinated, which occurs two weeks after the last shot of the series.
The Everbridge communication system and managers will continue to reach out to unvaccinated employees. If no response is received by October 1, it will be assumed that you have chosen not to continue employment with the Laboratory and the process for termination of employment effective October 15 will commence.
These decisions are in the best interests of public health and best protect our most valuable asset—our workforce. These provisions apply to all employees regardless of duty station, including those who are teleworking. The Laboratory offers resources to support you during this challenging time. Your continued vigilance and understanding is appreciated as we continue through this ongoing and unpredictable pandemic.
