Southwest Airlines said it will not force employees to go on unpaid leave who haven’t received a religious or medical vaccination exemption.
It dropped plans to place them on leave without pay after the December 8 deadline.
As a federal contractor,Southwest is subject to a White House order requiring all employees to be vaccinated.
Southwest senior management said employees may continue working if their exemption request hasn’t been assessed by the deadline.
They can keep working while following mask and physical distancing guidelines.
Southwest is giving workers until November 24 to complete their vaccinations or apply for an exemption.
They will continue to be paid while Southwest reviews their requess.
Southwest’s pilot union has started action to block the mandates and has requested an alternative such as regular testing.
The union recently staged a protest outside the company’s HQ.
