CNN has fired three of its employees who violated company policy by being in an office unvaccinated.
CEO Jeff Zucker sent a memo to CNN employees Thursday letting them know of the firing. He also reminded them that vaccines are required to be present in offices as well as in the field where they come in contact with other employees.
In the past week, we have been made aware of three employees who were coming to the office unvaccinated. All three have been terminated. Let me be clear — we have a zero-tolerance policy on this.
jEFF ZUCKER
Zucker explained that proof of vaccination has been left to an honor system, but it is expected to “become a formal part of the WarnerMedia Passcard process”.
Masks will be required in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Washington offices when people aren’t eating, drinking or in a private space.
The news station had an expected office return date of September 7, which has now been postponed to mid-October.
Zucker encouraged employees to wear masks if they feel it to be necessary, saying “It goes without saying that even in places that we don’t mandate it, anyone who wants to wear a mask should absolutely do so”.
Many have taken to Twitter to express their confusion with CNN. In particular, hundreds have asked what CNN will do with Chris Cuomo, who has been wrapped up in his brother’s recent sexual harassment allegations.