Manitoba law firm sets vax bar for staff

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/08/2021 (575 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of Manitoba’s top law firms is requiring all of its partners and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

On Monday, Pitblado Law announced, going forward, it will require its 143 lawyers and employees to show proof of double vaccination. Managing partner Benjamin Hecht said he believes this makes it the first law or accounting firm in Manitoba to do so, though he expects others will soon follow.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Hecht, a labour and employment lawyer, said in a phone call with the Free Press on Monday. “Employers in the province of Manitoba have a duty to have a safe workplace. And based on the medical evidence we have today, having people double vaccinated is the best way we can make our workplace safe.”

Most of the Pitblado team is already double vaccinated, Hecht said. For any who need time to reach full vaccination, the firm has set a target date of Nov. 1, to account for the time to receive both doses and have them take full effect.

After telling partners about the move last week, the initial response was positive, Hecht said: “I got three emails, and all were saying ‘Bravo’ and ‘Well done.'”