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I am a recruiter for a company that, by law, will require all employees to be vaccinated.

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Anonymous

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I am a recruiter for a company that, by law, will require all employees to be vaccinated. While interviewing potential new hires I had several state that they are anti Vaxers and will just get around it by using an exemption. Clearly they are out right telling me that they will use the exemption as a way to get around the mandate. Should I consider them for employment if they out right lie in their interview? There are people who truly qualify for exemptions and I have no problem with that but to just right out say they will use this tactic is just so wrong.

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  1. Irene

    When people tell you who they are believe them….

  2. Cynthia Armistead Newman

    Why would you consider hiring people who tell you they're planning to be dishonest? When people tell you who they are, believe them! I can't imagine any position that doesn't need integrity.

  3. Joycelyn M. Siame

    Please don't consider them. They should find employment at a job that doesn't require being vaccinated, rather than wasting your time and telling you to your face they are going to lie to you...

  4. Anonymous

    You are considering the health of other employees. I would not put others in danger because they won’t get vaccinated.

  5. E C

    Why would you want to hire someone who will openly admit that they will lie to you? Why would you ask your team to work with a new teammate who has openly stated that they have so little respect for others that they will lie to avoid needed public health protections? Why would you waste anyone's time by keeping that candidate in the pipeline? "Thank you for your time. We don't need to continue the interview process at this time."

  6. Anonymous

    Chefs kiss

  7. Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.

    You have our permission to tell these people that they are not eligible for the position and to thank them for wasting your time.

  8. Anonymous

    Ugh, no. They're giving you a silver platter reason to discard them - if you think about it they're making your job easier by helping you narrow down the candidate pool!

  9. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    Ab-so-freaking-lutely not.

    How would you explain to your boss or to your hiring manager that you moved someone ahead in the hiring process that you knew was going to lie to the company. And about something as important as a disease that could kill your colleagues.

    I'm a long time recruiter. I know how tough the labor market is right now but how is this even something you're on the fence about.

  10. Patricia Manroe

    I wouldn't hire them if they are lying and trying to get an exemption. I see nothing wrong with a mask mandate.

  11. Melissa Nobile

    They aren’t lying. They are telling you what they will do. It’s your choice to hire them or not knowing they will get an exemption. Last I checked this is America where it’s my body my choice. They are choosing not to get vaccinated and to get an exemption.

  12. Anonymous

    It’s definitely not ‘my body my choice ‘ here. If it was, then we wouldn’t have the laws trying to control women's reproductive rights.

  13. Anonymous

    Please wake up. Sadly, in today's America, it's "my body my choice" only when it is convenient for someone who ridiculously claims a mask infringes on their rights or has no problem potentially spreading a deadly virus. But when it comes to a woman's basic HUMAN rights, such as reproductive health care, all bets are off in some right-wing states. It becomes "my body, THEIR choice."

  14. Anonymous

    If they will lie about this (putting others in danger) they will lie about other things. Are you willing to put your own reputation at risk by putting them forward as candidates? I would hope not...

  15. Laura Becraft

    I don’t care what the topic is, they are telling you that they plan to be dishonest. Assuming your company has values and integrity, I would think being dishonest goes against them.

  16. Beth Wendt

    I honestly can’t believe the responses that you are getting. Stopping people from earning a living because they oppose a drug that has zero studies of longterm side effects, does not stop the spread of covid nor does it stop someone from getting covid—is shameful. The FDA wants 55 years to release the information on the vaccine— you should hire the people who are using critical thinking skills and don’t blindly follow.

  17. Karen RC

    U have no idea what u r talking about and if they have no problem lying about this they’ll lie about anything. Cross them off and move on

  18. Anonymous

    Agree that they will lie about anything. Not worth the risk.

  19. Dcre1977

    There are no vaccines rhat have side effects that happen long after you get the vaccine. If there were any serious side effects we now know about them and are able to mitigate the risk.

    Lying shows a lack of character and a lack of concern about your fellow employees.

  20. Jo-Anne Haber

    No one is stopping people from earning a living because of their opposition to a drug vaccine. What people are saying is that someone who would lie about why they are not getting vaccinated would likely lie about other things as well. If I have a strong position against something my potential employer requires why would I want to work there? As for people using critical thinking skills, most people I have spoken with about not getting vaccinated cannot clearly state why they are against it but simply parrot the party line they have heard. They have not done any research and couldn’t tell you how to effectively do research. There are blind followers on both sides of the issue.

  21. Anonymous

    Right, she should hire people who use critical thinking skills and believe in science and not blindly follow right-wing conspiracy theories and outright lies on the Internet or infotainment TV masquerading as news. Not hiring people like this is in no way stopping them from making a living. Unfortunately, there are plenty of like-minded employers out there who would gladly hire them.

  22. Anonymous

    Now who's making this political? That would be you...

  23. Anonymous

    A vaccine is not a drug. Learn something.

  24. Anonymous

    No one is stopping ANYONE from earning a living. There are requirements for the job. If you don't agree with one of those requirements, you shouldn't apply. Capitalism dictates that companies can hire who they want based on a set of criteria as long is it is not something that person cannot change such as skin color or age. Lying or telling your potential employer you will lie about meeting the requirements gives them AMPLE reason to not hire them. That is not denying them a living. There are plenty of jobs out there. McDonalds is looking and they don't make you have a vaccine...

  25. Anonymous

    Each company is allowed to institute their own rules. We have at risk employees or employees with at risk children. We all care about each other and have agreed to be vaccinated if in the office and to enforce a vaccination policy for visitors to the office or at company meetings. As a recruiter, you are being asked to communicate the policies and standards of the company that has hired you. Please do the right thing by your client.

  26. Anonymous

    This isn't even a question. Do not hire them. They will put your company at risk. If they're willing to commit fraud to get hired, imagine what they'll do to make their numbers, hide mistakes, advance in the company, etc.

  27. Ari Miceli

    Admitting to using tactics to subvert a mandate as well as showing favor to being dishonest is in itself undesirable treats in any job candidate. In a position of hiring you’re the company’s first defense to such risks. Regardless of personal opinion about the vaccine.

  28. Dcre1977

    If they are getting an exemption, hopefully they are being tested weekly instead. If they are then I am less concerned about risk than if they are lying about needing an exemption. I would not want to work with dishonest people.

    If they are getting a job in the sciences, they would be a hard pass for me. Unless they have a medical reason, being against science based medicine is just sad

  29. Anonymous

    Absolutely. I view it as a sign of defiance . They have a right to not be vaccinated just as the company has a right to not hire them.

  30. Anonymous

    First of all the term "anti vaxxer" is a pejorative term. It is quite possible that the applicants have no issue with other vaccines.It is quite possible that they have had a relative or close friend die from or experience profound negative effects from this vaccine. Who wouldn't object after that?? In addition, perhaps they have sincere religious beliefs that make this getting this vaccine unconscionable.

    In short, your statement smacks of an attempt to "other" an applicant who has been straight forward with you.

  31. Rachel Golden

    People dying or experiencing negative effects from the COVID vaccines are so rare that there’s statistically no way she’’d encounter even one (0.00002%). Sorry, but it’s not a pejorative - it’s people who are willfully uninformed like yourself.

  32. Madam anon663

    Completely disagree, you are obviously misinformed about the statistics of side effects, and even if someone has one, they are not hospitalized, or die. Do some research other than social media.

  33. Anonymous

    Madam Anon you're incorrect. Somehow the former president made the vaccine political. It isn't political. I also did research that didn't involve Fox News. Doesn't matter anyway. The OP should run far away from someone who BRAGGED about being willing to skirt employment requirements.

  34. Anonymous

    can we see your sources please?
    Signed RN MSN

  35. Anonymous

    I disagree. (As an aside, no religious head has stated that that vaccine is anti-religion.) If they are using that as an excuse, I would not trust them not to try to go around other policies.

  36. Sarah Mayfield

    0.0019% - That's the death rate and includes 90 year old people who died months after receiving the vaccine and might not actually have had adverse affects. People who are "COVID-19 Antivaxxers" have a choice. They can get the vaccine or not. Just like having a college degree might be a requirement for a job, having a COVID Vaccine is a requirement for a job. Can't or won't meet the minimum? Look elsewhere.

  37. Laura Ann Klein

    if the shoe fits then they need to wear it. Anti vaccine equals anti vaxxer.
    She's not attempting to other the applicant she is attempting to expose science denying liars.

  38. Anonymous

    othering people who admit to lying to you is appropriate in this case.

  39. Anonymous

    Nope. Othering people for any reason is not ok--it is not productive to decide that *certain* behaviors or people should be delegitimized. But standing for truth and having it be an expectation for employees is totally acceptable.

  40. Rene Letendre

    Yes! I did not verbalize this, but I definitely thought the same. The candidate may have been honest and sincere in communicating that they would pursue an exemption as it relates to the company's Covid vaccine requirement. Although, it is entirely possible that the OP's candidate called their own self an anti-vaxxer and/or suggested they would manipulate the system to get an exemption.

  41. Deb Allen

    I would speak with your legal department to have a standard statement approved that can be used to discuss the requirement, as well as a decline statement that can be sent/used when you determine that a candidate is no longer viable for your hiring process due to their stance. I work for such a company as well and we are not openly discussing it in interviews yet, but have added statements to our job postings and offer letters.

  42. Karen Gongaware

    This is in response to Madam annon663. Slightly confused here. I can't find anywhere in her (Anonymous) statement where she quoted statistics. She just said it is quite possible. And before anyone gets their panties in a twist, I believe in public safety and being vaccinated. Smallpox, measles, mumps, polio, whooping cough all killed children. Vaccines were developed to prevent that. The same goes for Covid. It mutates and could (I said could not will) mutate to attack children. So, if a vaccine helps to save lives, go for it and stop being the rebellious one.

  43. Cindy Lacey

    Possible, but most unlikely. Unfortunately covid vaccination has become a political football. I agree with the individual who said, if they said they had an exemption and provided it, that's one thing, but it sounds more like they were expressing defiance. Frankly, unless they were literally the only valid applicant, I would pass them by. If they are defiant about this matter, how would they get along in the workplace generally.

  44. Anonymous

    I would see this as a red flag and wonder what other ways they will try to "get around" or disregard employment policies. Talk to your legal team about how to handle declining such applicants. Also, are your discussions with applicants recorded?

  45. L S

    How can you base and judge an applicant’s character or if they are trustworthy when they have a valid legally protected right to file a religious or medical exemption. You are screening out potentially great candidates by your “opinion and judgement of their character”

  46. Dcre1977

    People are always screened out on judgement of character. Because people don't think poor character reflects on great candidates.

  47. L S

    Where did the candidate lie about anything?

  48. Huong Nguyen-Valle

    If your company requires all employees to be vaccinated, follow the rules. Exemptions can be made if allowed in the company policy, and make sure what the exemption entails.

    Can we please avoid all comments regarding it being political and any misinformation or not? That is not the question at hand. Thanks!

  49. Beth Wendt

    There is no federal law requiring any such thing. I don’t know about individual states. Congress makes laws and to my knowledge they have not passed any such law.

  50. Anonymous

    There are rules for federal offices and for contractors, suppliers, etc.

  51. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    States don't count?

  52. Anonymous

    This is a mandate from OSHA for companies with 100 or more employees. It's different than a federal or state law, but will likely be enforced via fines and sanctions to the companies similar to other OSHA regulations.

  53. Anonymous

    That has been halted by the courts.

    Recruiters need to keep abreast of this hot-button issue.

  54. Dcre1977

    1. Totally incorrect.
    2. False
    3. The pfizer vaccine approved under the name Corminaty is the same vaccine approved under emergency authorization.
    4. Data necessary for the public is available now. Long term studies are unecessary as side effects occur within the first several weeks of getting the vaccine.
    5. This is true af many medications, if you are going to reject the vaccine for this reason, please reject all medicines developed with fetal cell lines to show consistency in your religous beliefs.
    6. The risk of side effects is less than the risk of covid for most people. Get your medical advice from your doctor who understands the risks as they pertain to you.
    7. Yes they, because we do not want the very rare risk of death to force manaufacturers away from the less profitable business of vaccine manufacturing.

  55. Anonymous

    If you can see right through that lie, what else are they lying about? Think about it - an employee who won't follow the rules then makes up lies about things is not an asset to any company.

  56. Laura Ann Klein

    No. They are lying about this to get around rules what else are they going to lie about?

  57. Anonymous

    1. incorrect
    2. also false
    3. false
    4. data please
    5. so do you take other meds? Or no?
    6. false again, Covid long is real and the vaccine might save your life
    7. yes they are protected

    Are you an MD? MD PhD? NPH epidemiologist? Nope? Then stop typing.

    I'm an advanced practice nurse.

  58. Anonymous

    Very glad that you're not treating me. Fear is the mind killer, and it's doing a number on you. Is Covid real? Absolutely. But it also has a 96% survival rate. The long terms effects of these so called vaccines are unknown. But you go right ahead and take them.

  59. Anonymous

    And, incidentally, biologist. Nurse = rudimentary biology.

  60. Jessica Kanani

    Where did you get this information? It is simply not true.

  61. Fiona Edat

    If they clearly aren't meant to be exempted from the mandate, then that's a red flag that should be taken into consideration for hiring.

  62. Liz Milne

    If they're prepared to lie to your face and willingly bend regulations, why would you ever recommend them to an employer? Someone with an exemption would say so (I'm exempt due to a medical condition, etc), they wouldn't say they 'will claim to be exempt'.

  63. Anonymous

    There are no exemptions-they ARE able to go through the reasonable accommodation process to determine if their request is in fact reasonable but most likely they’ll be termed

  64. Healthcare worker

    No don’t consider people who are dishonest and don’t think the rules apply to them. Ask yourself if it was any other company rule that they told you directly they would manipulate to get around would you consider that a good prospect? No you wouldn’t this is no different some people think the rules don’t apply to them and it’s time for that selfish worldview to stop.

  65. Anonymous

    I would move along to the next qualified candidate. I have a child who cannot have it due to severe reactions to other vaccinations. His siblings are fully vaccinated and will be getting their COVID shots soon (we all had COVID last month, so I'm waiting until winter break in case they feel poorly after the shot). He has a medical exemption. But people trying to con their way into exemptions makes getting exemptions for people who need them significantly harder.

  66. Anonymous

    Federal Contractors are required. Can't work on a military base or for a federal department. And EVEN if they were not, anyone who comes to me for a job with that attitude would be shown the door. Wouldn't waste another moment on them.

  67. Anonymous

    I say do you job right, follow the directions and only move on with vaccinated candidates. It should not even be up for discussion. A liar is not a good employee.

  68. Rene Letendre

    I don't think you get to decide who truly qualifies for an exemption or not, do you? Doesn't the company do that? I am assuming that the candidate was saying they will pursue an exemption because they are anti-vax, and not that they will lie to achieve an exemption.

    I am all over the map on this one:
    Self A: Well, you shouldn't eliminate a candidate based on what they MIGHT do.
    Self B: Uh, yeah! That's what an interview is all about: what will they do in the role?
    Self A: Oh, yea. Ok. Well, just because they are an anti-Vaxxer does NOT mean they are wrong. They are entitled to their opinion.
    Self B: Buuut, they know the requirement going in: by law this company requires vaccination, so if that is not a good fit for them, they should move on.

    Self A: The exemption criteria exist. It should be their right to pursue an exemption. They won't be "getting around it", they will be using the established system to be up front and honest about not being vaccinated. If the company approves the exemption based on what an employee says, then the company has done their due diligence.

    Self C chiming in: If an employee (or candidate) says: I am going to lie, then they should not be considered for a position. If a candidate says I am going to use the standards and criteria in existence to do the best job I can AND hold onto a right about my body that I believe I alone should have, then the company needs to have a process where an employee cannot use a loophole to get an exemption when they don't actually meet the criteria for an exemption.

    I don't know the laws around this kind of thing, but can you have a conversation with them to get a better understanding of what they will use to legitimize their request for an exemption? If they say they will lie, then you can let them know that lying is against company ethics or policy. I would think that someone would not be silly enough to admit a lie in an interview....but who knows.

    Best wishes for a very difficult situation.

  69. Anonymous

    It is the recruiter's job to screen the candidate. The company said everyone has to be vaccinated, end of discussion. Why put so much unnecessary thought into it?

  70. Rene Letendre

    1. I don’t know what you mean by “so much unnecessary thought”; I’d argue that critically evaluating each candidate is the job of the recruiter. (I do agree that my comment was waaaaay too long, though. That was unnecessary for me to add all that.)
    2. Furthermore, the company has said some are exempt from vaccination—as evidenced by the exemption policy—so it is incorrect to operate as though every candidate has to be vaccinated.

  71. Anonymous

    Actually anti-vaxxers are "wrong." In this case there is cleat data that vaccines are essential to individual and public health. The antivax movement endangers all of us and overburdens our hospitals.

    Simply being opposed to the vaccine for the sake of opposition is not a legitimate reason for an exception.

  72. Anonymous

    Yes, because if they lie on their interview they will lie about other things.

  73. Zohaib Bukhari

    I'd say don't consider them.

  74. Xu Jocelyn

    From my perspective, you don't have to consider them for employment cuz its required by law. Everyone should follow the law and get vaccinated before they get a job. In this way, it might be safe for anyone who works together in case of any transmissions.

  75. L S

    It is a mandate. Not a law.

  76. Sue Gordon- retired Career Coach

    It is federally required if over 100 employees

  77. Dawn S. Cross

    Since your company is requiring the vaccine (I assume due to working with government entities), and you feel certain they will not get the shot and will lie about it, why hire them?

    Think of it this way - if they lie about this, what else are they being untruthful about or will be untruthful about in the future. Is that some on you want to represent your company?

  78. Sue Gordon- retired Career Coach

    They told you in an interview that they would lie to get around a law. There's data on character and integrity there. Not to mention a sad lack of critical thinking skills.

  79. Beth Wendt

    There is no law… congress passes laws.

  80. Anonymous

    Actually, no. Congress can make laws, but so can state and county and city and town bodies. Also, the law gives employers the right to require this kind of thing, so they are saying they don't care about laws, or company policies, or anything of the sort and are willing to do whatever they need to to get around those things. Not exactly a great character trait.

  81. Sue Gordon- retired Career Coach

    And yes, there is a federal law requiring employers if 100+ people to require vaccines. All in the interest of public health.

  82. JC

    seems pretty straightforward. they basically told you they are dishonest. I would say NEXT!!

  83. Rebecca Jones

    I wouldn't want to work with someone who does that.

  84. Anonymous

    Vaccines are like seat belts. A very good and simple thing to do to protect yourself. The government has an opinion; however, some people choose not to do it. When I am the driver of the car, I can expect everyone else to put on the seat belts. If they refuse, they don't ride in my car. I have seen the effects of no seat belts. I have had a good friend die of COVID.

  85. Judiking

    It is a mandate, not a law. But it's done through OSHA which can fine your company for not complying. If you were to hire them, you would be responsible for their testing on a weekly basis and you would have to pay them while they get tested (you can do it in house if you can get the tests). Overall, these folks are not the best choice for hire. A little more trouble then they're probably worth, not to mention the fact that they are operating in an unethical manner.

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