Vaccine Policy – Effective November 1, 2021
Intent
The Edmonton Gleaners Association (Edmonton’s Food Bank or the “Food Bank”) is committed to providing a safe working environment for our employees, our clients, sub-contractors, and members of the public with whom we interact regularly. In our day-to-day operations, we have a responsibility to protect all employees and the community in which we operate. It is for this reason that it is critical that the Food Bank and its employees, volunteers, sub-contractors, and any other individuals employed or contracted (paid or unpaid) to provide service in any capacity to the Food Bank and our clients take precautions to protect against COVID-19. The purpose of this Vaccination Policy (the “Policy”) is to protect the health and safety of all employees, volunteers, sub-contractors, clients and service providers by reducing the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 (an infectious communicable disease), among everyone involved in our day-to-day operations through vaccinations against COVID-19. A complete two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series provides strong protection against COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes, including against the Delta variant of concern, in the general population. Vaccinated individuals have a significantly decreased risk of becoming infected and likely have a decreased risk of infecting others.
Scope
This Policy applies to all Food Bank employees, volunteers, sub-contractors, agency representatives picking up food from our warehouses, and any other individuals employed or contracted to provide service in any capacity to the Food Bank and our clients. It does not apply to clients requesting or picking up food, donors, and visitors.
Staff Vaccine Policy
By November 1, 2021, the Food Bank will require all employees, sub-contractors, and any other individuals employed or contracted to provide service in any capacity to the Food Bank and our clients (“Food Bank Staff”) to establish that they have been fully vaccinated. For the purposes of this policy, Food Bank Staff are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the recommended number of doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine.
To establish that they are fully vaccinated, Food Bank Staff must present a completed COVID-19 Vaccination Record or MyHealth record for inspection by the Director of Operations, by November 1, 2021. Vaccination status will only be used as necessary and reasonable for meeting legitimate operational purposes related to this policy and as permitted by the Personal Information Protection Act. It will be kept securely and kept confidential, consistent with the Food Bank’s privacy policies and practices for employee records. The Food Bank will not retain copies of a Food Bank Staff member’s Vaccination Record. Supervisors are required to communicate the policy to their Food Bank Staff, and to ensure the conditions of this policy are implemented and enforced.
Food Bank Staff who cannot be vaccinated based on medical (drs note required) or other protected grounds recognized by the Alberta Human Rights Act can request an accommodation. The Food Bank will work with that individual to develop and implement an appropriate accommodation and the individual will be accommodated to the point of undue hardship. To apply for accommodation, Food Bank Staff should contact the Director of Operations, as soon as possible. You may request an accommodation without fear of retaliation.
Food Bank Staff who do not provide sufficient proof of vaccination or establish the need for accommodation under the Alberta Human Rights Act by November 1, 2021 will be placed on unpaid leave and their employment/contract of service will be subject to termination.
