Royal Dutch Shell is considering mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for some of its workers under threat of termination if they do not comply.
An internal Shell memo dated Sept. 1 stated that while the company should continue to encourage vaccinations among its employees, it should also consider mandating the vaccine for employees performing specific operations. The mandate would include those on offshore rigs where self-isolation and evacuation are disruptive and complex to perform, according to Reuters.
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“For staff who refuse to comply with a vaccine mandate we would make all reasonable efforts to avoid terminating their employment but will be faced with no alternative but to do so,” the memo stated.
Shell will look at the pros and cons of the policy during an executive committee meeting on Friday, two unidentified sources told the outlet.
The company has already been testing the mandate in the Gulf of Mexico and in the onshore Permian Basin shale operations. Employees and contractors at these locations either need to show proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test, the memo stated.
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Shell is not the first company to consider mandating the vaccine for employees. The Colorado Health Board approved a similar vaccine mandate for all healthcare workers across the state on Aug. 30. The Washington Federation of State Employees union also reached an agreement with Gov. Jay Inslee for a vaccine mandate on Sept. 8.
Shell has not responded to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
