CNN sacks 3 staff for coming office unvaccinated
CNN has fired three of its employees for coming to work unvaccinated, the report said, citing an internal company memo sent by the US news channel chief Jeff Zucker to the terminated staff. “Let me be clear — we have a zero-tolerance policy on this,” the memo read, referring to the media organisation’s strict stance on the coronavirus disease (Covid-19)-related protocols.
The CNN memo, first obtained by AP, was later tweeted by media reporter Oliver Darcy. The organisation, however, offered no official details on the firing.
Vaccines are mandatory, whether the employees report to the office or are out on the field (where they might come in contact with others), said Zucker in the internal company memo to his staff members. While proof of vaccination has currently been left to the honour system, that may change in the upcoming weeks, he said.
The CNN chief’s strict reminder comes at a time when the United States is dealing with rampant vaccine hesitancy, even in Covid-19 hotspots like the state of Wyoming. Viral videos of people having meltdowns over masks are commonplace, and in many parts of the United States, it is not uncommon for two complete strangers to confront each other publicly over the issue of wearing masks or getting a shot of vaccine.
CNN is currently planning a company-wide return to the office on September 7, but it might be delayed until at least early to mid-October, reported AP, adding that more than a third of news staff members have already returned.
