National Coworking Operator To Require Proof Of Vaccination From Tenants

A national coworking, meetings and events company is planning to require vaccines for anyone who spends time in its spaces. 

Convene will mandate all staff, members and guests show proof that they have been at least partially vaccinated starting Sept. 13 and fully vaccinated by Oct. 4, the company announced Tuesday. It is the first national coworking company to implement a vaccine mandate for its employees and clients. 

“As we closely monitor COVID-19 and the Delta variant in our communities, we are continuing to evolve our on-site safety measures to prioritize the health, wellbeing, and peace of mind of everyone at our locations,” Convene Global Chief Operating and Chief People Officer Amy Pooser said in a statement announcing the changes. 

The mandate does allow for some religious or medical exemptions, according to a Convene spokesperson. The change comes as the ultra-contagious delta variant tore through the country over the past month. Vaccines are highly effective in protecting against the variant. 

“We've had an overwhelmingly positive response to this new requirement so far,” Convene CEO and co-founder Ryan Simonetti told Bisnow in an email. “I'd say 98% of our responses have either been neutral or positive.” 

Convene has three locations in Chicago, three in New York, one in Philadelphia and two in Washington, D.C. Anyone entering the building can show their vaccine card, a picture of their vaccine card, or a local digital vaccine pass, Simonetti told Bisnow. Photo identification is also required.

“As more people are vaccinated, the risk of this virus continuing to evolve will decline. I look forward to seeing the benefit of health, and freedom from the impacts of this virus, return to our communities,” Talia Poy, a nurse practitioner and Covid specialist for Convene partner Eden Health, said in the release. “And to do so, we must use all the tools we have available to keep ourselves and families safe.”