Southwest scraps plan to put unvaccinated workers on unpaid leave
Southwest Airlines said it will not force employees to go on unpaid leave who haven’t received a religious or medical vaccination exemption.
It dropped plans to place them on leave without pay after the December 8 deadline.
As a federal contractor,Southwest is subject to a White House order requiring all employees to be vaccinated.
Southwest senior management said employees may continue working if their exemption request hasn’t been assessed by the deadline.
They can keep working while following mask and physical distancing guidelines.
Southwest is giving workers until November 24 to complete their vaccinations or apply for an exemption.
They will continue to be paid while Southwest reviews their requess.
Southwest’s pilot union has started action to block the mandates and has requested an alternative such as regular testing.
The union recently staged a protest outside the company’s HQ.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Have your say Cancel reply
Southwest scraps plan to put unvaccinated workers on unpaid leave – Support
Southwest Airlines said it will not force employees to go on unpaid leave who haven’t received a religious or medical vaccination exemption.
It dropped plans to place them on leave without pay after the December 8 deadline.
As a federal contractor,Southwest is subject to a White House order requiring all employees to be vaccinated.
Southwest senior management said employees may continue working if their exemption request hasn’t been assessed by the deadline.
They can keep working while following mask and physical distancing guidelines.
Southwest is giving workers until November 24 to complete their vaccinations or apply for an exemption.
They will continue to be paid while Southwest reviews their requess.
Southwest’s pilot union has started action to block the mandates and has requested an alternative such as regular testing.
The union recently staged a protest outside the company’s HQ.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.



















































Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025