Unvaccinated Nike employees face mass layoffs

Employees who have not been vaccinated could be laid off as early as January 15, 2022.

Nike Corporation notified its office workers that they would be laid off in the coming weeks if they were not vaccinated. It was reported by Business Insider, citing employees who received an email from Nike headquarters. The email notes that employees who have not been vaccinated will be laid off as early as January 15, 2022. 

“You did not go through the screening process, and our records show that you do not have a verified medical clearance. Therefore, you are in violation of company policy and will be laid off on January 15, 2022,” Nike noted in a statement to employees.

Last month, the opening of Nike’s corporate offices was once again delayed. In preparation for a remote return to the office in October 2021, the sports giant has called for the vaccination of all employees. Oregon Life points out that some Nike employees have not been vaccinated for religious reasons, while others are opposed to corporate mandates. 

Nike is among the number of private companies that make their own decisions about mandating employee vaccinations. Many companies with 100 or more employees in the U.S. would be required to vaccinate employees if the Biden administration’s “vaccine or test” mandate goes into effect. The document is currently pending before the Supreme Court. Exactly how many employees may be laid off at the Nike office has not yet been reported.