Puyallup Tribe Announces Vaccine Requirement For Employees

TACOMA, WA — The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is the latest Washington employer to announce a vaccine mandate for employees.

"We are in unprecedented times, and the COVID-19 vaccine is one of the best tools we have for protecting the health and safety of the Tribe’s community members and employees," the Tribal Administration said in a statement announcing the mandate Monday.

Under the policy, there will be two separate requirements depending upon when the employee was hired. If the Tribal employee was hired before Sept. 30, 2021, they must either provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or file a personal or medical exemption and then provide negative COVID-19 tests weekly. Employees hired after Sept. 30 do not have a testing option, and must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, no exemptions allowed.

Similar mandates have already been ordered by Microsoft and Boeing, among other Washington employers — and falls in line with new federal guidelines issued Thursday that require Washington employers with 100 or more employees to develop a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Puyallup Tribe had 1,274 full-time employees in 2020, making it Pierce County's 19th largest employer.

On the positive side, the Tribe is still willing to reward unvaccinated employees and tribal members who do take a shot: In August, the tribe announced it would pay a $500 vaccination incentive to those who step forward and get inoculated.

"COVID-19 is serious. It was serious a year ago, and it’s serious now," Tribal leaders wrote. "Council is all together on this, and all in. This is an investment in our collective health. Get vaccinated and help your community."

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