Thu, March 28, 2024

Mondays with Rick: Vaccine Mandate

Editor’s Note:
Litigation is pending all over the country to stop the mandates to force Americans to get vaccinated. Proving health or religious reasons to be excluded has not proved to be an easy bar to reach.

In the CSRA, many companies like Cardinal Health and Beasley Broadcasting have vax mandates in place from their home offices and they have both lost key employees, who’ve refused.

At University System of Georgia academic/educational institutions, the only schools impacted by the mandate are those that have contracts with the federal government. 

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In full disclosure ABD’s full-time staff is vaccinated. So is Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the AU Hull College of Business.

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of AU’s Hull College of Business

ABD: Rick, when is the state mandated deadline at AU schools?

Rick: By January 4th of 2022 all faculty and staff will have to upload a proof of all shots necessary to complete the vaccination process.

ABD: What about students?

Rick: The mandate is for AU employees only.  Therefore, primarily faculty and staff.  However, those students who work for the university (e.g., student assistants) are under the mandate, but all other students are not under the mandate.

ABD: Do you know what consequences if any are being put in place should someone not get vaccinated in time?

Rick: We’re waiting to hear about what policies may be put in place. As a manager I’m torn…we’re required to demonstrate all faculty and staff be vaccinated. I strongly encourage people to do so, but I care about people who don’t want to get it. Those who have reasonable personal reasons to avoid the vaccination is what makes this so difficult.

ABD: Why is there pressure on AU and other University System of Georgia schools to ensure vaccinations?

Rick: Any state schools that have federal contracts are mandated or run the risk of losing a lot of money. The Administration of our university and University System of Georgia are doing all they can to help people while at the same time trying to meet the mandate.

ABD: Dr. Franza, up the road in Atlanta, Delta’s now charging $200 more a month to insure non-vaccinated employees. What do you make of these kinds of company decisions?

Rick: It’s hard for employers. It seems like it’s the old “carrot and stick” way of managing. Some are doing incentive pay at the time of hire, for example, get vaccinated and earn $500.

I was recently reading the “21 Hats” newsletter by Loren Feldman. He points to the companies’ that are not mandating the vaccine and advertising it as a recruiting tool for new hires. I see all sides of the argument. It’s hard.

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