Update: City of Hamilton Vaccination Verification Policy for City Employees

HAMILTON, ON - In August 2021, Hamilton City Council approved a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy, which requires all City employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Beginning November 4, all unvaccinated City employees were required to begin submitting twice weekly rapid test results under the City’s COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program. This program has been running smoothly to date, with just over 500 employees collecting kits to participate in the program.

Last week the City also shared initial numbers regarding staff who would be placed on unpaid leave because they were not compliant with the policy. The City had originally expected approximately 317 City employees to be placed on an unpaid leave of absence because they were not in compliance with the policy. This number has considerably reduced and now sits at approximately 89 (24 full time staff, 65 part time staff). The 89 staff (representing 1.2% of the City’s workforce) currently on unpaid leave are spread across the organization, but the areas with the most non-compliant staff are in Transit and the Hamilton Fire Department.

The City is continuing with contingency planning in order to avoid any service impacts for residents. At this point, we are largely able to manage and plan for absences related to the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy through our normal management operations.

However, we have experienced some minor service impacts in Transit. As you may know:

• HSR proactively reduced service on Route 51 University because of the many other service options supporting the university. Changes to route 51 will remain in place until further notice.
• Regular service between downtown and the west end (and McMaster University) will continue on routes 1 King, 5 Delaware, 10 B-Line.   
• Fortunately, this has been enough to avoid any other service cancellations.
• We’ll continue to monitor the situation, as it changes daily.
• Customers are encouraged to check HSRnow trip planning tools and monitor HSR’s social media channels for updates.    

Quick Facts:

• Testing under the City’s COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program began on Thursday, November 4, 2021.
• The Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy applies to all employees, including full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary, casual, volunteers, Council members, members of Council-appointed committees and students.
• The Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy does not mandate vaccination. The policy mandates the disclosure of vaccination status and testing for those who are not fully vaccinated.
• The City of Hamilton remains committed to promoting vaccination against COVID-19 to ensure the health and safety of all members of our workforce and the community.

“Thank you to the City staff who are now in compliance with the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy. This policy is about protecting the health and safety of all City employees, their families and our residents. To those who have not yet received their vaccine or are not yet fully vaccinated, it is my hope you do so as soon as possible. I encourage you to speak to your healthcare provider or book an appointment at one of our vaccination clinics through the channel that is most convenient to you.”

- Mayor Fred Eisenberger