Bank of America reportedly has begun a pilot program that aims to separate vaccinated from unvaccinated employees at an administration building in Jacksonville, Florida, according to a person who works with the bank.
The program, which began on Nov. 18, was initiated as a way to bring employees back to the office after a period of working remotely during the pandemic, the person—who spoke on condition of anonymity—told The Epoch Times. But the plan casts a dark shadow on our potential future society, the source said.
Shifts in Work Culture
Employees have trickled back to their abandoned offices this year at varying rates amid a multitude of experimental corporate policies, after the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus led to a worldwide work-from-home culture.With the wider availability of vaccines, people began taking off their masks, and workplace policies became less restrictive.
Then fears over the Delta variant sent many back home and became the platform on which President Joe Biden announced his vaccine mandate policy in September, when he directed the Department of Labor to develop a rule requiring all employers with 100 or more workers to get vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022, or require unvaccinated employees to be tested weekly.
On Nov. 12, a U.S. appeals court rejected a challenge by the Biden administration and reasserted its decision to halt Biden’s order. However, many businesses have initiated their own vaccination deadlines and policies as lawsuits have piled up against the Biden administration regarding the mandates.
'Essentially, They're Discriminating'
At Bank of America, vaccinated workers had already been returning to their offices. But while the corporation hasn't implemented a vaccine mandate overall, those who haven't disclosed their vaccinated status, or have disclosed their status as unvaccinated, will only be allowed to return to work on a separate floor, the person said.“The unvaccinated will be stripped of their access and given access only to one floor, with offices and a restroom, but they can’t go anywhere else,” the person said. “Essentially, they're discriminating.”
The source was told that the program was designed so the bank could gain feedback from employees. Meanwhile, access for the unvaccinated will be monitored “to make sure they are kept in containment, so to speak,” the person said.
“But I can’t partake in this,” the person said, acknowledging that they may be fired or have to quit. “I’m not quiet and I don’t keep my mouth shut. I’m not going to partake in this program they are rolling out.”
Bank of America has described itself on its website as having a “diverse and inclusive workplace.”
“We firmly believe all employees should be treated with respect, live free of discrimination, and be able to bring their whole selves to work,” its website states. “This is the core to who we are as a company and how we drive responsible growth.”
Bank of America’s Response
In response to statements by the source, a Bank of America spokesperson told The Epoch Times that, relying on CDC guidance, the bank plans to prioritize the vaccinated when bringing employees back to the office.A spokesman noted that "the company is now taking the next step forward and beginning to return a limited number of teammates who have either not disclosed their status or are unvaccinated. These teammates will work in an environment where our health and safety protocols are aligned to the latest guidance from the CDC and other medical experts.
“They will be required to use face coverings at all times, maintain physical distancing, and test weekly.”
The company said that with a pandemic underway, there are going to be added measures the company must take on behalf of its employees to ensure their safety.
