Citigroup prepares to fire workers as ‘no jab, no job’ mandate deadline nears

Office workers who don’t comply by January 14 will be placed on unpaid leave, and their last day of employment will come at the end of the month, according to a staff note

A spokeswoman said more than 90 per cent of the firm’s US staffers had complied with the rule and that the figure was climbing rapidly

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A Citibank branch in New York. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 2:04pm, 8 Jan 2022

Citigroup was the first major Wall Street bank to impose a strict Covid-19 vaccine mandate: Get a shot or face termination. With its deadline fast approaching, the company is preparing for action.

Office workers who do not comply by January 14 will be placed on unpaid leave, and their last day of employment will come at the end of the month, according to a message to staff seen by Bloomberg.

While some of the employees will be eligible for certain year-end bonus payments, they will have to sign an agreement that states they will not pursue legal action against the company to receive the funds, according to the message.

“You are welcome to apply for other roles at Citi in the future as long as you are compliant with Citi’s vaccination policy,” the company said in the message.

A Citibank branch in New York. Citigroup is asking all its 70,000 employees to get vaccinated. Photo: Bloomberg

More than 90 per cent of Citigroup’s staffers have complied with the rule for US workers, which also allows for employees to apply for religious or medical exemptions, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information.