News
| Oct 13, 2021

NCB becomes latest company to introduce COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Juanique Tennant

Juanique Tennant / Our Today

Reading Time: 2 minutes
National Commercial Bank

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.

Comments

What To Read Next

News JAM Jul 11, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutesPrime Minister Andrew Holness says the launch of the groundbreaking and contract signing for the Westland Port Expansion Project at the Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) marks a defining moment in the continued transformation of Jamaica’s logistics and shipping landscape.

He emphasised that the project’s groundbreaking ceremony symbolises literally and figuratively a new phase of growth, opportunity and national ambition. “The commencement of the Westlands Expansion Project represents a vision that is materialising,” Holness said.

News JAM Jul 11, 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutesPrime Minister Andrew Holness and other regional leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to regional food and nutritional security by endorsing the Food Security Formulation and Design Plan while aiming to reduce the state’s food import bill through agricultural transformation.

Holness also reiterated the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) decision to extend the Vision 25 by 2025 initiative until 2030, a mandate to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent.