Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. is pleased to announce that the City of Hammond will provide an incentive to its full-time employees who get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
With the vaccine being the emphasis for battling Covid 19 and in an effort to encourage City employees to voluntarily vaccinate themselves from Covid 19, all city full-time employees who fully vaccinate themselves will get three “Covid” personal days off. Employees must present their card showing they are fully vaccinated to our Personnel Director in order to get the days off. Firefighters, who work 24-hour days will each get one shift off, all other employees get three eight-hour days off. “Covid” personal days can only be used when overtime is not required to fill their spot.
Employees will be responsible for making their own arrangements for getting the vaccine the same as other residents in Hammond. The deadline for being fully vaccinated is August 1 to be qualified to receive the three days off.
“I was never interested in mandating employees get vaccinated,” stated Mayor McDermott. “However, giving them three days off is a good incentive to get them vaccinated for the health of our employees and residents.”
Executive Order 21-34
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic, and on March 13, 2020 the President of the United States declared COVID-19 to be a national emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 31, 2021, the State of Indiana by its Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued Executive Order 21-02 renewed the declaration of a public health emergency for the State of Indiana for the thirteenth time; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hammond through me as its mayor has issued multiple executive orders including Executive Order 20-02, 20-04, 20-05, and 20-30 concerning the COVID-19 outbreak.
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance indicating COVID-19 vaccinations, mask wearing, and social distancing as the best ways to protect against COVID-19 illness and recommends COVID-19 vaccination to all eligible individuals; and
WHEREAS, on April 19, 2021 President Joseph Biden declared all adults in the U.S. eligible for the Coronavirus vaccination; and
WHEREAS, in light of the foregoing information and in an effort to prioritize the health and well-being of Hammond employees and residents, Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. finds it necessary and proper to adopt a COVID-19 Voluntary Vaccination Incentive Policy; and
NOW THEREFORE, by Executive Order, Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. hereby issues the following COVID-19 Voluntary Vaccination Incentive Policy:
COVID-19 Voluntary Vaccination Incentive Policy
All City of Hammond Full-Time Employees who receive a complete COVID-19 vaccination (and be able to show proof of same) shall receive three (3) personal days off with the following terms and conditions:
- The vaccination received must be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the number of recommended doses must be administered.
- Employees have until August 1, 2021 to receive the vaccination, and must provide valid documentation (i.e. vaccine card) and a signed affidavit stating the documentation is true and correct.
- Use of personal days earned through this policy must have prior approval by a supervisor or department head.
- Use of personal days earned through this policy must not result in overtime or other unforeseen costs to due a personnel shortage for the employee’s department. If this occurs the days will be rescheduled at a time that will not result in overtime for the department.
- Personal days earned through this incentive policy will expire on December 31, 2022. Personal days not used by December 31, 2022 will not roll over, nor will they be compensated.
This Order is in effect immediately upon my signature and shall remain in effect until further notice.
Thomas M. McDermott, Jr., Alcalde