Northwestern Mutual becomes first major non-health care employer in metro Milwaukee to institute COVID-19 vaccine requirement

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Northwestern Mutual became the first major non-health care employer in metro Milwaukee to institute a vaccine requirement Friday, August 6.

The requirement, emailed to employees Friday morning, asks employees who plan to work in the company’s downtown and Franklin offices to be vaccinated by August 11.

Employees who are not vaccinated by the August 11 date will be required to work from home.

The Milwaukee-based life insurer issued the following statement to CBS 58:

"We take great pride in our dedicated employees who, despite the unprecedented challenges created by the pandemic, have delivered record results for our company and unmatched service for our clients," said Betsy Hoylman, the Senior Director of Corporate Reputation. "Currently about 2,200 employees are working from our campuses in Milwaukee, Franklin, and New York – a number we expect to increase over time."

The statement from Hoylman went on to say that, "Effective immediately and for the foreseeable future, we are requiring employees and contractors who access our campuses to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of full vaccination. We are committed to creating a workplace and employee experience that strengthens our culture and drives the performance of our business. The health and wellbeing of our workforce will continue to be our highest priority and we believe that vaccination plays a key role in achieving this goal."

CBS 58 reporter Victor Jacobo spoke with Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson who said she supports the move by Northwestern Mutual.

Northwestern Mutual offices reopened in June for those employees who preferred to work in person.

The company has not set a finalized date for all employees to return to in-person work.