UMC Requires Vaccine For Haddonfield Homeworks Employees

HADDONFIELD, NJ — United Methodist Communities is now requiring that all employees, including those who work in the in HomeWorks Haddonfield program, must be vaccinated against the coronavirus by Oct. 15, the group announced.

HomeWorks provides in-home care for seniors. More information on the program can be found on its website.

“United Methodist Communities has a high ethical and moral obligation to provide the safest living and working environment possible and believes that the best path forward is a fully vaccinated workforce,” United Methodist Communities President & CEO Larry Carlson said. “The decision to require the vaccine was thoughtfully and thoroughly discussed. We evaluated a number of competing factors before coming to this conclusion. UMC’s associate vaccination rate is already significantly above the national average, however the rise of the Delta variant makes it imperative that we foster a community positioned to best protect those who live and work with us. Our associates are the lifeblood of our ministry, and we will continue to educate and engage with them through this process.”

United Methodist Communities has offered numerous vaccination clinics at their assisted living and affordable housing locations across the state since the vaccines have become available, and 75 percent of its staff is fully vaccinated, according to the group.

The rest of the staff must be vaccinated by Oct. 15, or they will have been deemed to have voluntarily resigned from their positions, according to the group.

All associates will be required to get booster shots when they become available. Vaccine exemption requests will be considered from any associate unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccines due to a certified medical reason or strongly held religious beliefs.

“For the past year and a half, our residents and associates have sacrificed and gone to great lengths to protect themselves and their fellow community members from this virus,” United Methodist Communities Vice President of Human Resources David Glenn said. “With proper precautions and infection control procedures in place, UMC’s communities are making steady progress in returning to group activities and welcoming back visitors. From a staffing perspective, associates are committed to doing all they can to ensure the residents in their care continue to have a safe environment to enjoy fulfilling and abundant lives.”

United Methodist Communities encourages all unvaccinated associates to speak with their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated or visit vaccines.gov and use the Vaccine Finder tool to locate a pharmacy offering COVID-19 vaccines near them.

Associates in full-service communities can also speak with their Associate Resource Director about their community’s next planned COVID-19 vaccine clinic.