The NCB Financial Group on Tuesday (October 12) became the latest private sector company to issue a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The mandate, which was issued via staff circular and signed by Group CEO Patrick Hylton, relayed how badly the country had been impacted by the pandemic, and that as an employer they have “an overriding duty of care to establish and maintain a safe work environment”.

Recognising that “vaccines have emerged as the most effective measure to minimise transmission of the disease, prevent deaths and minimise hospitalisations from serious COVID-19 related illness,” the circular noted that a decision was taken to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all members of staff.

The mandate applies to all employees of NCB Financial Group whether permanent, temporary or on contract and requires that these individuals provide proof of vaccination to their respective division heads by October 31, 2021.

NCB employees who have not received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the month will be required to present a negative PCR test by Wednesday of each week beginning November 3, 2021.

This weekly PCR testing requirement will be at the employee’s expense.

The mandate makes an exception for employees who may be unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, in which case a medical exemption should be presented for review by NCB’s assigned medical practitioner by October 31, 2021.

Employees who do not comply with the vaccination or testing requirement will be required to take the days on which they are absent from work as unpaid leave.

According to the company, vacation days may also be used in lieu of unpaid days with the permission of the employee’s manager.