DETROIT – Ford MotorCNBC reports that the United States will mandate all salaried workers to get vaccinated before Dec. 8, or they could face unpaid leaves.

On Tuesday, Ford sent a message about its mandate to 32,000 salaried workers. Monique Brentley, a company spokesperson, said that Ford would consider medical and religious exemptions for those who are unable to get vaccines.

In an email statement, the company stated that employees who do not want to have their vaccines and don’t have approved religious or medical accommodation for protection will be given unpaid leave. This could last up to 30 calendar days. The company did not immediately clarify what would happen after these 30 days.

“The health and safety of our workforce remains our top priority and we have been very encouraged by the support of our employees to comply with our protocols, including the more than 84-percent of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated,” Brentley said in a separate emailed statement. Ford now requires all U.S. salaried workers to have COVID-19 vaccinations by December 8, as part of our efforts to safeguard the team. federal contractor guidelines“

According to Brentley, parts of Ford’s business can be classified as federal contractors.

Federal contractors have wide latitude to ensure President’s compliance Joe BidenThe Covid mandate is in effect according to new guidance the White House released Monday

The vaccine requirement comes as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration also puts the finishing touches on a separate rule requiring businesses with 100 or more employees – estimated to cover about two-thirds of the private sector workforce – to enforce a mandatory Covid vaccination policy unless they create a plan that gives workers the option to get tested regularly.

Covid vaccinations have not been mandated by automakers in advance of the new rule. This will apply to large unionized employees as well.

Ford as well General MotorsEmployers who were salaried previously had to provide proof of their current vaccination status. Ford opened up the submission process voluntary to hourly employees, who are represented by United Auto Workers Union.

GM has not yet responded to our request for comment about any proposed changes in vaccination policies for salaried workers.

Although the UAW encourages members to be vaccinated it is not supportive of mandatory vaccinations for employees. It relies on the more than 400,000 members of its union to choose whether or not they want to be vaccinated.