COVID-19 vaccination requirement for U.S. associates and contractors

Editor’s note: Paul Cormier, Red Hat's president and chief executive officer, shared the following email with Red Hat associates today.

All,

Red Hat’s top priority remains the health and safety of our associates. Throughout the pandemic, we have encouraged vaccination globally, given associates time off to get vaccinated, sponsored vaccination clinics, covered the cost of vaccination for associates in countries where a free vaccine was not available, and required vaccination for associates re-entering offices. Today we are taking another important step: To comply with new U.S. government regulations mandating that employees of federal contractors be vaccinated against COVID-19. As a government contractor, Red Hat must and will require all associates and contractors in the United States to be vaccinated. 

Red Hat supports the view that vaccination is the best way to contribute to ending the pandemic, and we are demonstrating our commitment to keeping our colleagues, customers, and communities safe.

In order to comply, by November 29, 2021, associates and contractors must demonstrate proof of full vaccination as a requirement for continued employment. At this time, full vaccination requires that two weeks have passed since one injection of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or a second injection of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. This requirement extends to all U.S. associates and contractors no matter if they work from a Red Hat office, a customer or partner site, or are fully remote.

Exceptions will only be granted in very limited circumstances. In keeping with government requirements, frequent testing or recovery from COVID-19 will not be accepted in lieu of vaccination. We are working to set up a convenient, privacy-sensitive process for associates to submit their proof of vaccination or accommodation request, with additional details to come. A FAQ is available with additional details on this requirement, including next steps. If you have a question that is not answered in the FAQ, please submit a ticket to the People team.  

Globally, countries Red Hat operates in are beginning to institute more robust COVID-19 health and safety requirements. So are many of our global customers. As we have in the United States, we are continuing to review local law and health requirements and have started implementing processes to meet those requirements in other countries where required. 

Please remember our Red Hat values when communicating with others on this topic and engage from a place of seeking to understand. While associates may have strong feelings about this issue, and respectful debate is part of our culture, this is how we need to move forward as a company and as a business. Please keep all dialogue respectful, professional, and empathetic. 

Thank you all for your commitment to Red Hat and each other. We have consistently said we would continue to evolve our support programs, safety guidance, and policies in response to a changing situation. It takes everyone working together to adapt successfully, maintain our culture and innovation, and to continue delivering for our customers and partners.

/p