Haworth, MillerKnoll to require vaccines per federal mandate

HOLLAND — At least two of Holland's largest employers, Haworth and MillerKnoll, have announced companywide vaccine mandates, in accordance with President Joe Biden's recent executive order regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and federal contractors.

Biden announced sweeping mandates in September, including Emergency Order 14024 — which requires all federal government contractors and employees to be fully vaccinated, without the option of weekly testing to avoid the shots, by Wednesday, Dec. 8.

More:Local businesses, legislators respond to sweeping vaccine mandates

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Also included in the announcement were mandates for businesses with more than 100 employees, requiring vaccines unless workers submit to weekly testing. That rule has yet to go into effect, as the White House and Occupational Safety and Health Administration work to finalize language.

Haworth announced the mandate to team members Thursday, Oct. 21.

"Many U.S.-based companies, including the major furniture manufacturers, must comply with this order," the company wrote in a statement. "Haworth has a significant amount of business that is covered by this order and this business is fulfilled by great members at all locations. In order to protect those jobs, Haworth will be complying with this order."

Proof of vaccination, or an approved medical or religious exemption, will become a condition of employment — but the company is working hard to retain its workers.

"Haworth depends on its members and does not want to lose anyone due to these requirements," the statement read. "The company is working through this complicated process and providing support to help members either get vaccinated or have an approved allowed exemption."

MillerKnoll, according to a spokesperson, is the largest supplier of office furniture for the federal government.

“As a federal contractor, we are adhering to the mandate that requires all federal contractors to be vaccinated by Dec. 8, 2021,” the spokesperson added.

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Gentex, the area's largest employer, has yet to announce a mandate.

"We're still monitoring the situation and awaiting a final, published mandate," wrote a company spokesperson. "We have not put anything in place yet."

The company has been awarded federal contracts in the past, but it's unclear what portion of its current workload would be impacted.

It's likely other local manufacturers will make announcements in the coming weeks, as the December deadline looms and other mandates come online.

— Contact reporter Cassandra Lybrink at cassandra.lybrink@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Instagram @BizHolland.