tl;dr - this is the first of multiple posts describing my experience with a vaccine mandate at work. My intent is to provide strength and encouragement to others who are in similar situations, and to get feedback on my thoughts.

I started working for a National Healthcare Provider on Aug 2nd of this year. Prior to accepting the position, I emailed my recruiter and my hiring manager asking about the COVID-19 vaccination. I explained that I was not comfortable receiving the experimental gene therapy, and that if it was required for employment I would not accept the job. At that time, the company was recommending but not requiring the vaccine. Work commenced.

Fast forward to Aug 9th, and all employees were notified by email that the COVID-19 vaccine was now required by Nov 12th. I told my boss that I wasn't comfortable with the policy and that I would not be getting the vaccine regardless of company mandates. He politely asked to discuss my reasoning, and we had a civil (although not productive) conversation. He strikes me as a non-confrontational (ie, somewhat spineless) man, and appears to be very interested in avoiding any uncomfortable interactions with his superiors.

My manager isn't an asshole, he's just weak willed. So I decided that I would do my best to limit his involvement in this situation. He didn't make the rule, and he isn't trying to enforce it. It's MY job to advocate for myself, so as long as he stays relatively neutral I will leave him out of the battle. The topic hasn't come up since our initial meeting, but I did ask him to forward any emails he received regarding the policy.

In the interest of keeping people off my back, I scheduled an appointment with the vaccination clinic to get jabbed. My appointment is at 840 am on Friday, Nov. 12th.

My coworkers are aware of my views, and they're like "cool, man, you do you." It's a small office, just 3 employees and the manager. I've already planted the seeds of group resistance to further corporate bullshit. The office was severely understaffed prior to my arrival, and we are very understaffed now. My outspoken opinion is "what if we say no? They can't get rid of all of us. The logistics of trying to cover our workload by sending people in from the main office (150 miles away) would cripple them. They have no leverage." That was met with some raised eyebrows and mumbles of "huh, never thought of it like that."

The way I see it, there are a number of ways this can play out:

1. Nov 12th comes and goes, and I "miss" my appointment. I keep showing up to work until I get fired. File for unemployment. Look for a new job.

2. Company reverses the policy. I keep working.

3. Company tries to inflict "group punishments" in order to get my coworkers to pressure me.

4. Lots of in between options, would love to hear about the experiences of others.

That's all for now, I'll post updates (unless I get downvoted to hell, in which case I'll just keep being awesome over here by myself).

WE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER!