Unvaccinated County Workers Face Suspension Without Negative Test

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mecklenburg County officials have started handing out suspension notices to unvaccinated county employees who have failed to comply with a mandate that they provide proof of a negative coronavirus test.

How many employees will receive notices that they will not be allowed to work is unclear and Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman George Dunlap did not immediately return an email to Patch seeking comment.

The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday night that 600 county employees have failed to comply with the order to produce results of a negative COVID-19 test and are facing unpaid suspensions from work.

County Manager Dena Diorio issued a memo last month stating that county employees who choose not to be vaccinated must submit proof of a weekly negative COVID-19 test by Sept. 7. County officials said that nearly 70 percent of employees are vaccinated, but that those who are not would need to comply with the order.

On Wednesday, the county issued a statement stating that the suspension orders would begin going out to employees on Wednesday. Any employee that did not comply with the weekly negative test mandate would remain on unpaid leave until they were either vaccinated or produced proof of the negative test.

“With approximately 70 percent of all employees vaccinated, Mecklenburg County remains committed to providing a safe work environment for all employees, as well as a safe experience for our customers,” the statement reads.

“The County has enacted this process to meet the highest standard of COVID-19 prevention possible.”