This CT Employer Is Mandating Employees Get Coronavirus Vaccines

HARTFORD, CT — A prominent Connecticut employer is mandating that its employees receive the coronavirus vaccine.

The Community Renewal Team (CRT), which employs nearly 400 people, has adopted a policy, which is likely the first in the state, requiring that employees get the vaccine.

The company works with seniors, children, and the homeless, and felt it was the responsible thing to do to protect vulnerable populations and its employees, according to company spokesman Jason Black.

"CRT believes it is very important for all of our staff to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus because of the people that we serve each and every day," Black said. "We serve people who are often the most vulnerable – in particular seniors, the homeless, and people with medical conditions that may place them at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

"As such, if we ensure that all of our employees are fully vaccinated it will go a long way to both protect our staff and to protect the people we serve."

The Community Renewal Team is the community action agency for Hartford and Middlesex counties. They work to address "challenges like hunger, homelessness, unemployment and poverty" for thousands throughout central Connecticut.

For example, CRT oversees the Meals on Wheels program for central Connecticut, including Hartford and Middlesex counties, and parts of Tolland County.

"We send out thousands of meals each day to homebound seniors — we want (them) to know that they can receive this service safely as we work to help meet their nutritional needs," Black said.

Black said he hopes other businesses across Connecticut will follow the Community Renewal Team's lead.

"It is our hope that by making this decision to require all employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine that other businesses throughout Connecticut — and nationwide — will see that we can all do our part to help combat this deadly virus that has plagued our nation and people worldwide for the past year," Black said. "Getting vaccinated will help to save lives, and it will give us a fighting chance to bring our daily routine back to something close to 'normal' – i.e., what we had before the pandemic – once again. We recognize that this decision is a difficult one, but we truly believe it is the right thing to do."

The Community Renewal Team's vaccination policy

This policy states, in part: “All employees may be required to receive vaccinations as determined by their specific program, work location and/or job duties unless a reasonable accommodation is approved.”

Currently, nearly 100 percent of CRT’s staff working at their assisted-living facility in Hartford, The Retreat, are fully vaccinated; and 90 percent of their preschool staff have received at least their first dose of the vaccine.

What if an employee doesn't want the vaccine?

If an employee does not want the COVID-19 vaccine, accommodation for exemption requests can be made. Employees in need of an exemption due to a medical reason, or because of a religious belief will submit a "Request for Accommodation form" to the human resources department, Black said.

"If an accommodation can be granted, a science-based mitigation strategy will be put in place with that employee so as to help that employee continue his/her service with the agency," Black said.

Accommodations are being made

A handful of employees have spoken with the human resource department about accommodations, Black confirmed. At The Retreat, which is an assisted-living facility, one employee asked to wait until they could speak with their own primary care physician about the vaccine.

To help this employee, accommodations to their work situation are being made, which includes the use of N-95 masks and a face shield while working at the facility, Black said. That said, all staff continue to wear masks while at work for CRT – no matter the work location – and at The Retreat, the residents are asked to continue to wear masks while out in common areas with other residents, Black added.

How many employees have been vaccinated so far?

So far, 33 percent of CRT's employees — 126 out of 384 — are either fully vaccinated or received an exemption. Only four have been given exemptions to date. The total number does not include those who have had the first of two doses and are waiting to get their second dose.