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No job loss! One Mart to re-purpose 15 unvaccinated staff- CEO

- said company respects staff decision not to take COVID-19 jab
While still advocating for all staff to be fully inoculated, One Mart Supermarket Group says the remaining 15 staff that are still unvaccinated for various reasons will not become jobless because of it, but instead, they will be re-purposed in the company. Photo: One Mart/Facebook
President and CEO of the One Mart Supermarket group, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), through a statement released on Thursday, July 15, 2021, said, he is respecting the decision of his staff to not take the AstraZeneca vaccine at this time. Photo: One Mart/Facebook
President and CEO of the One Mart Supermarket group, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), through a statement released on Thursday, July 15, 2021, said, he is respecting the decision of his staff to not take the AstraZeneca vaccine at this time. Photo: One Mart/Facebook
PURCELL ESTATE, Tortola, VI- While still advocating for all staff to be fully inoculated, One Mart Supermarket Group says the remaining 15 staff that are still unvaccinated for various reasons will not become jobless because of it, but instead, they will be re-purposed in the company.

President and CEO of the One Mart Supermarket Group, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), through a statement released on Thursday, July 15, 2021, said, he is respecting the decision of his staff to not take the AstraZeneca vaccine at this time.

“Several weeks ago, our supermarket group adopted a policy of not scheduling unvaccinated employees to work physically at any of our company’s properties. We did so in the interest of our customers, our employees, and our business; however, we have no plans to release those workers on account of non-vaccination at this time. Instead, our executive team is exploring options for those persons to be assigned other duties or to work remotely within the company,” he said.

Devoted staff

The veteran legislator stated that his staff has always been devoted to the company and customers, and the company, in turn, is devoted to them.

“Thankfully, over 90% (125 persons) of One Mart’s staff is already fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated. Approximately 10% (15 persons) remain unvaccinated for various reasons. I strongly believe that COVID-19 vaccines are the only option to give our business, our people, and our community a fighting chance at defeating this deadly pandemic. However, we fully intend to treat all staff with respect and dignity.”

He added that while the company respects their position, they are still encouraging them to take the vaccines unless they have “extenuating medical or religious reasons.”

“In the meantime, we will pivot our operations slightly and deploy available technology to allow them to work remotely,” he said.

Background

Two of the company’s employees tested positive for COVID-19 on June 28, 2021.

Two days later, the company advised all employees who did not take their first COVID-19 shots by July 3, 2021, and their second shots by July 31, 2021, that they would not be scheduled to work until further notice.

One Mart said; however, since that time, these staff members have received their full pay and a $100 weekly food voucher for two weeks.

27 Responses to “No job loss! One Mart to re-purpose 15 unvaccinated staff- CEO”

  • Tongue Fu (16/07/2021, 08:55) Like (25) Dislike (20) Reply
    Man feeling the bite of the boycott now talking about repurposing.

    Nice try Bro. Not my business.
    • Bantu (16/07/2021, 15:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      You don’t re-purpose people! You re-purpose products.

      You reassign people.

      It’s bad enough these peopleHave no work the least you could do is show them some respect.
  • The world may never know (16/07/2021, 08:56) Like (24) Dislike (9) Reply
    I wonder if he got a letter from the international tribunal courts or was he doing it to pressure the workers to take the jab
  • Rubber Duck (16/07/2021, 09:00) Like (21) Dislike (23) Reply
    What you mean by vaccination is the only way. You ain't shame of yourself Bill Gates Mark.
  • Stewie Griffen (16/07/2021, 09:05) Like (38) Dislike (23) Reply
    Mark I don’t believe you. You want them to work remotely? If those persons were cashiers or shelf stockers how will the cash and stock shelves remotely? I am sticking to my decision. I will not return to your place of business until I see these folks have been reinstated.
    • @Stewie Griffen (16/07/2021, 12:59) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      You need to broaden your mind. Remotely does not only mean being connected to a gadget and working from home. A person could be moved to work away from the central operation of a business where they have little or no contact with the general public or general staff.
    • Stewed Griffin (16/07/2021, 15:45) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      If I were you I wouldn’t leave it too late before you go back to the store. If they’re unvaccinated they may not be around too long.
  • .... (16/07/2021, 09:27) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    yea cousin Mark big move
  • My girl (16/07/2021, 09:36) Like (39) Dislike (12) Reply
    We stand with you mark don’t mind the chatter
  • rasta (16/07/2021, 09:38) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    One Mart dem is nice people, me like.
    Thanks , you're a class act.
  • Denomination (16/07/2021, 10:01) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    I bet he brother aint gonna follow his notion this time !!!
    • hmmm (16/07/2021, 11:40) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      Some of you here commenting about remotely but seems like you all miss the first part that says that they will “assigned other duties or to work remotely”
  • B.V.I Market (16/07/2021, 10:08) Like (24) Dislike (13) Reply
    Hmmmm damage control. You see you bottom line getting affected, so now you trying to put out this half thought statement. Mr Vanterpool I do not believe you. I will love to see someone stock a shelf remotely. Until your 15 staff members return to work, I will not be coming to your place of business. This goes to LJD VI Block as well..
  • fyah ras (16/07/2021, 10:51) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    It should of not come to this in the first place. I hope the rest can see what you're seeing. Must be losing business and I hope the rest loses business same way and say what he say
  • make my day (16/07/2021, 11:02) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    In the midst of all that is going on. Today I have a ray of hope thanks God for answering prayers. This is what I'm talking and praying about. Ray of hope for our people in this territory and God will open more doors for you your family and your company's. You make my day thank you. I dont work there but I know God is working in that company be mindful.
  • Pussers (16/07/2021, 11:23) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    What about ?
  • Tongue Fu (16/07/2021, 11:30) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
    Who going One Mart sale? Not me. Not doing Pussers as well.
  • Lily Ann (16/07/2021, 12:31) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    May the vaccinated patronize his business !!!! More power to them !!! I will now shop at the small shops, RTW doing this same bs to their staff too !!!
    • @Lilly Ann (17/07/2021, 06:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      RTW too? I haven’t shopped at One Mart since the staff was sent home. I will have to add RTW to my list.
  • blind mice (16/07/2021, 13:05) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    A lot easier for the employer to downsize this way. An emloyee refusing the new assignment or having difficulty with the new assign ment could become redundant and be dismissed forgood reasons.
  • Hmm (16/07/2021, 13:13) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
    Mr Vanterpool you should ah Never force your employees to get that so call vaccine, shame on you, give your employees a choice its their right to choose what goes into their bodies. Go repent and fast and pray.

    So called Peoples supermarket me foot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • My analysis (16/07/2021, 13:23) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    The people seem to have spoken. STEP1-boycott the business, STEP2- vote um out or keep um out.

    Now is time for the new party to start campaigning. 2023 round the bend.
    • Dialysis (16/07/2021, 15:48) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
      Step three.

      Die of Covid because you’re too ignorant to take the vaccination
  • To vote in who? (16/07/2021, 14:37) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Strupzzz you Just put vip in? You ppl sick. Mark you doing the right thing. Time will tell.
  • Citizen (16/07/2021, 14:37) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Hon. Vanterpool to have 90 percent of your staff vaccinated is commendable, when only about 35 percent of the population is vaccinated. The 10 percent not vaccinated in the grand scheme of things is not going to hurt you. Good decision. That is leadership. Dont mind, the haters.
  • A VOTER IN #6 (16/07/2021, 17:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BOYCOTT MY FÒOTONLY IF YOU KNOW MR VANTERPOOL PERSONALLY NONE OF YOU WOULD SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HIM HE NEVER SEE SOMEONE HUNGRY AND DON'T HELP.IF YOU DON'T LIKE THATS ALRIGHT. PLEASE GET TO KNOW HIM PERSONALLY. WHEN YOU COULD TO HIM YOU can't go to ROAD TOWN WHOLE SALE.
  • ginger (17/07/2021, 07:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its funny that the same mindset we have with general life most applying it. The man made a mistake had a bad judgement call and corrected his mistake but yet you all still talking. Shows when u do bad everyone sees when u do or try do better they would only remember the bad. Shop at the corner store with your unvacvinated money is urs u ain't hurting mark u hurting urself let's face it most of you can't shop at the corner stores forever THEM EXPENSIVE. So is ur money wasting not mark own simple


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