State Farm is hiring more than 3,000 full and part time employees across the country, but is it a coincidence? Cities had employees reach out with concerns about the new protocols placed on staff this January.
“Just so you know, I was informed by State Farm today [Jan. 10] about their new COVID protocols effective immediately,” said an employee. “Fully vaccinated individuals are still allowed to be mask optional (depending on the building) and do not need to wear masks when at their work stations.”
The State Farm employee informed Cities that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals are required to wear masks now at all times including at workstations.
“Unvaccinated employees are also required to test once a week at minimum, and the employee is responsible for the price of testing. State Farm also required employees to turn in their vaccine status as of today [Jan. 10]. We have now become second class citizens within our own workplace because of the medical decisions we have made for ourselves. State Farm claims to celebrate inclusiveness, yet they have just shown their hand in this move. I will not post anything about my employer on social media, but please feel free to get the word out so people can see how State Farm rewards employees who have remained working throughout this “pandemic.”
Since Jan. 10, State Farm has dropped the testing after the Supreme court denied the Biden vaccine mandate.
Cities asked State Farm about their protocols and if employees have been terminated in the name of vaccination status. State Farm came back with a statement included below:
“The health and safety of our employees is our priority. We have a number of health and safety protocols in place, including face coverings, social distancing and enhanced cleaning of our facilities. Additionally, State Farm encourages all employees, who are able, to consider the potential health benefits of getting vaccinated. We respect everyone’s right to make a vaccination choice based on their personal circumstances. We continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed,” said Gina Morss-Fischer, a State Farm spokesperson.
Morss-Fischer said as a result of the Jan. 13, 2022 Supreme Court ruling, the federal OSHA Rule is on pause until further notice.
State Farm continues to have health/safety protocols and policies in place.
“We are not enforcing a vaccine mandate at State Farm. We will comply with all federal regulations and laws. No employee faces termination due to their vaccination status,” said Morss-Fischer. “Here’s the truth: We are not enforcing a vaccine mandate at State Farm. We will comply with all federal regulations and laws. No employee faces termination due to their vaccine status.”
Updates sent to employees state they had to disclose their vaccination status before Jan. 10.
State Farm employees use Yammer for employees to communicate with each other in a Facebook- type setting.
“A few months ago a put a survey on to see how many people wanted to drop the mask mandates altogether in the buildings, since we know they don’t work,” said an employee at State Farm. “The moderators shut that down real quick. I also posted some facts about masks and the vaccine straight from the CDC. That too got blocked. Now you’re seeing a lot of people discussing their disgust with the new policies and every time they are being shut down.”
An employee shared State Farm had at least 20 external employees in one department…and then after the Jan. 10 announcement, the department suddenly had two.
“That can’t be a coincidence,” said an employee.
Employees’ names have been concealed by Cities to protect them from possible termination.
