Unvaccinated federal employees will face discipline for refusing coronavirus testing at work

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Politics

Unvaccinated federal employees will face discipline for refusing coronavirus testing at work

By Eric Yoder
Yesterday at 3:19 p.m. EDT

Federal employees who are not fully vaccinated will face discipline if they refuse to be tested for the coronavirus when reporting to work in person, the Biden administration warned on Wednesday.

The latest guidance from an interagency task force says agencies will have discretion regarding how to administer those tests, including in-house, at another agency or through a contractor. Testing will apply only to employees who are not fully vaccinated and who are working on-site, will be done during working hours, and will be at the agency’s expense.

“Refusals to take a test may result in disciplinary measures. In addition to pursuing any disciplinary action, an agency may separately elect to bar the employee from the agency workplace for the safety of others,” the new guidance says.

[Despite Biden’s vaccine order for feds, delta surge causes some back-to-office plans to be scrapped]

Last month, President Biden announced that federal employees would have to attest to their vaccine status or else face regular tests and requirements to wear masks, among other restrictions. Employees also face discipline that could include firing if they falsely say they’re fully vaccinated on a new form that is now being distributed among the 2.1 million civilian federal workers.

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By Eric Yoder
Eric Yoder is a National reporter at The Washington Post. He has reported for The Post since 2000, concentrating on federal employee issues, the budget and government management policies. Twitter https://twitter.com/EricYoderWP

[SheltieLover]

1. Cost of testing should be deducted automatically to pay for tests!

[Chainfire]

2. There is a simple solution; if they won't take the vaccine, and they won't be tested,

put their asses in the street. You don't let a few hard-headed people put your entire work force at risk.

[lagomorph777]

3. It's a good way to weed the antipatriots from the Government.

[littlemissmartypants]

4. Interesting thought. nt

[NCjack]

9. Yeah. Should get the RWNJ sleepers that Repukes imbedded in govt.

[ShazzieB]

7. Something tells me that's what will happen to the ones that keep holding out long enough.

Not much point in putting these rules in otherwise.

[keithbvadu2]

5. Count it as a used vacation day.

[Deminpenn]

6. Good

nt

[llashram]

8. as they should