Sinclair Wants to Know Who Got the Jab

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Sinclair is not one of the media companies that required their staff to be vaccinated against COVID, but they do want to know who has been and who has not?

The Sinclair staff was sent this memo and it was obtained by FTVLive:

November 29, 2021 

 As we shared with you two weeks ago, Sinclair is preparing for the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) emergency temporary standard (ETS) that would require all private employers with 100 or more workers to ensure all employees are either fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or provide a weekly negative test and wear a face covering while working. As of today, OSHA’s ETS remains under a legal challenge and the Company is awaiting additional information. While the final determination and timing of this challenge is out of our control, the Company is now taking steps to prepare for applicable compliance related obligations.  Please understand that Sinclair is not requiring employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or to provide a weekly negative COVID-19 test at this time and we are simply preparing should the OSHA ETS become mandatory for employers. 

 Sinclair is asking all employees to now self-report information about their COVID-19 vaccination status for purposes of workforce data collection and compliance with any applicable regulatory recordkeeping requirements under OSHA’s ETS.   Employees will use the benefits enrollment system, BenefitSolver, to record certain information, including:   

  • If you have or have not received a COVID-19 vaccination(s)

  • If vaccinated:

    • Which COVID-19 vaccination(s) you received

    • The date(s) that you received the COVID-19 vaccination(s)

    • Upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination* 

  • If applicable, information related to a religious or medical exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination

The BenefitSolver system is now open for you to begin reporting your information and we ask that the reporting is completed by December 4, 2021.  To update your COVID-19 vaccination status, follow the instructions below.

Instructions

  1. Log on to and select the Benefits Icon on the home page, or type into a new browser. Both options will utilize single sign on.

  2. Click the tile to “Update COVID-19 Vaccination Status”

  3. Follow the question flow to update your COVID-19 vaccination status.

  4. If vaccinated, upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination*. Documents that can be uploaded as acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination are:

  • The record of immunization from a health care provider or pharmacy;

  • A copy of the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card;

  • A copy of medical records documenting the vaccination;

  • A copy of immunization records from a public health, state, or tribal immunization information system; or

  • A copy of any other official documentation that contains the type of vaccine administered, date(s) of administration, and the name of the health care professional(s) or clinic site(s) administering the vaccine(s).

Employees that believe they qualify for a religious exemption will need to complete a Religious Exemption Form to request a religious exemption and upload such document. This form may be obtained from your local HR representative. Employees that believe they qualify for a medical exemption will need to obtain written documentation (such as a letter or note) from their health care provider to certify a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination and upload such document. 

Your COVID-19 Vaccination Status can be updated at any time by visiting BenefitSolver and updating the COVID-19 Vaccination Status found on the Health Tab. 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Again, Sinclair is not requiring employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or to provide a weekly negative COVID-19 test at this time and we are simply preparing should the OSHA ETS become mandatory for employers. If you have, questions please contact your local HR Contact. 

*Important notice for employees working in Florida:  At this time, uploading your proof of COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary.

Sinclair wants employees to know that they are not requiring them to be vaxxed, nor do they need you to be tested.

It also appears that the information is only for management and will not be shared with the staff.

“So, I could be assigned to get into a news car with an employee that is not vaccinated, or tested and I will have no knowledge of their status,” said one Sinclair staffer to FTVLive.