MGM Resorts International now requires Covid-19 vaccinations “as a condition of employment for all salaried employees and new hires throughout the United States.” All salaried employees who don’t work exclusively from home must be vaccinated by October 15. New hires must provide proof of vaccination before starting, effective August 30.
The new conditions were reportedly announced in a letter from MGM President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle, who recently decried Covid surges in Nevada, saying the low vaccination rate “is putting us back on the path to overrun hospitals, unnecessary deaths, fewer tourists, and possible furloughs and layoffs. … After the pain endured by so many these past 16 months—and the tremendous progress made in 2021—I can think of no more damaging scenario for us as a community.”
According to MSN, the company is also offering incentives to up the vaccination rate in its “Show Us Your Vax” campaign. Employees who upload their vaccination proof to MGM’s internal portal are eligible for prizes including cash, hotel stays, restaurant vouchers and show tickets.
Previously, MGM required that employees be vaccinated or be tested regularly, and pay the co-payment.
Hornbuckle said the vaccine requirement “may be an unwelcome development” but stated the group is “determined to do our part to curb the spread of the virus … vaccination is the most effective tool in doing so.”
