Carhartt doubles down on vax policy amid leaked memo, Twitter debate
Some on social media are calling for a boycott of the company’s products after its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for workers was made public.
Outdoor workwear company Carhartt started trending on Twitter on Jan. 18 when a screenshot of an email sent to associates regarding its standing COVID-19 vaccine requirement began making the rounds.
Amy Hellebuyck, Carhartt’s senior public relations manager, confirmed that the email—from CEO Mark Valade—was legitimate and accurately represented the company’s position on vaccines for employees.
The memo states that while Carhartt is extending its deadline for workers at two of its locations to get the jab, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for large employers did not change Carhartt’s policy.
From the email:
We, and the medical community, continue to believe vaccines are necessary to ensure a safe working environment for every associate and even perhaps their households. While we appreciate that there may be differing views, workplace safety is an area where we and the union that represents our associates cannot compromise. An unvaccinated workforce is both a people and business risk that our company is unwilling to take.
Speaking of “differing views”—some Twitter users had a lot to say. Some were in favor of Carhartt’s messaging:
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