My 70 Year Love Affair With Hershey Chocolate Is Over!!!
Lounge By -K8memphis Updated 11 Feb 2022 , 1:55am by -K8memphis
let's open our minds, hearts and mouths and discuss this like adults -- no hysterics -- no ad hominem attacks -- it's time we all come together, freely to discuss -- not agree, not change each other, discuss, speak, relate, share, come together with our ideas and some of our feelings -- RESPECTFULLY AND FREELY
let's see if this will post -- sometimes DC doesn't like big copy & paste items:
EXCLUSIVE: Hershey Fires Unvaccinated Employees
Offers payment to sign exiting agreement
By Beth Brelje
January 31, 2022 Updated: January 31, 2022
The Hershey Company has begun firing office workers who did not get vaccinated against COVID-19. On the way out the door, Hershey is asking employees to sign a nine-page confidentiality and release agreement that would remove their rights to sue the company or talk about their experience.
Although their signature comes with a “special separation payment,” many have not signed the agreement and won’t get the money. Employees say the payment was determined by an algorithm and for some, amounted to just over two months’ pay.
By most accounts, working at Hershey was a great job. Employees at the Hershey, Pennsylvania headquarters and at offices in other states report higher than average wages and bowls of candy placed around the offices for snacking. During holidays, employees would get a big bag of treats to take home, although that practice stopped after Easter 2021. There is a sample room for trying new products, colorful graphics decorating the walls, and the products are more fun than selling insurance.
But it stopped being fun after months of human resources meetings that employees say included education about the vaccines, asking if the employee had changed their mind about getting the shots, and uncomfortably invasive questions.
“I really thought I’d be OK,” Kim Durham, a payment analyst and sourcing buyer, told The Epoch Times. “I thought, you cannot question my faith. Nobody can question that.”
Durham asked for a religious accommodation in August and assumed she would get it.
“I thought this was behind me until September when I met with an HR representative. It was an interrogation on your religious beliefs. They twisted your words and tried to put words in your mouth. It was terrible. I was asked such personal questions that had nothing to do with religion.”
She was shocked when, in November, she received word that her request for religious accommodation had been denied.
The Epoch Times interviewed two other Hershey employees who are in their final days with the company and didn’t want their names used until they are fully separated, for fear of losing certain benefits.
Everyone interviewed mentioned being troubled by similar questions during the meetings, usually held with an immediate supervisor and someone from HR, such as:
Have you ever been vaccinated? Are your children vaccinated? How do you protect yourself when you leave your home? How often do you go to church? Do you take Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums, or Midol? If so, how can you say that you’re truly a religious person, because a lot of those medicines also have the same ingredients as the vaccine?
Several people were told the Pope is vaccinated, and he says that the greatest gift you can give your community is to be vaccinated as well.
One new parent submitted their baby’s birth certificate and other papers to set up insurance, and was asked why the baby had received vaccinations if the parent wouldn’t get the COVID shots.
“What does that have to do with me keeping a job? From the time we started this ordeal, we have had seven meetings about my vaccination status,” one employee said. “It was like harassment. I felt like I wanted to crawl under a rock when I was done.”
While office workers must be vaccinated or fired, employees working in food production and Chocolate World, the company’s retail outlet stores, are encouraged but not required to get the vaccination.
Durham had been working from home since March 2020, except for once every two weeks when her tasks required her to be in the office. But even when she was there, it was just a skeleton crew of in-person co-workers, everyone had a temperature check before entering the building, and masking was mandatory.
Hershey required employees to be vaccinated by Oct. 4, and when she was still unvaccinated on Oct. 5, she was told she was no longer allowed in the building, but she continued working until January. After her last day, the company sent an empty box to her home so she could ship her work equipment back to them.
“We are losing our jobs over this vaccine policy,” Durham said. “It’s just wrong that a company can terminate you, and you lose your livelihood. This should not be forced.”
Some employees trained their replacements, only to find their replacements would continue working remotely.
The separation agreement Hershey gave employees prohibits those who sign it from disclosing the existence, terms, and conditions of the agreement, including the details of their separation from employment. The agreement contains a broad non-disparagement clause and it also releases Hershey from liability for all legally waivable claims.
Hershey did not respond to requests for comment or to provide information about how many people have been fired.
Employees estimate 1,400 workers applied for a religious exemption. It is unknown if any were granted.
“I know people who got the vaccine just to keep their job. It wasn’t something they wanted to do, but they needed the job,” Durham said. “I need a job too. But I’m not going to do something I don’t feel comfortable doing, just keeping my job.”
REPORTER
Beth Brelje is an investigative journalist covering Pennsylvania politics, courts, and the commonwealth’s most interesting and sometimes hidden news. Send her your story ideas: Beth.brelje@epochtimes.us
*I meant sometimes cc doesn't like big cut & paste but it worked! the article is an exclusive from EPOCH TIMES
also please stick to what is happening to these Hershey employees which means p!ease read the whole article if you participate --
go
I have mixed feelings about employers requiring vaccines for their employees. On the one hand, it seems unfair and extreme for any one person to tell another they MUST be vaccinated. On the other, I thoroughly believe that the owners of a business have rights, too. Requiring employees to be vaccinated is an attempt to protect their business and livelihood.
Personally, if I were not already retired, I would not mind the vaccine mandate at all, but have no particular reason for not wanting to take it and one big reason for wanting to take it, I am old.
Well, respectfully, I believe companies have the right to require employees to be vaccinated. As a former psw (personal support worker) I was required to get a annual flue shot, or I couldn’t go into large facilities, like long term care and retirement homes. I complied not just for my safety, but the safety of the residents. No way would I have done my job now without being vaccinated for Covid. Being so close to a resident, washing, dressing, transferring, etc. Wouldn’t have taken the risk of possibly spreading to such vulnerable people. And I would want protection from other psw’s and other staff I worked with. I personally witnessed both flu, and SARS sweep through several LTC homes, including the one my father was in. Several deaths, thankfully, my Dad wasn’t one of them. In each case, it was found a visitors brought in the virus, wearing no protection, and had spread the virus. So psw’s we’re vaccinated, but visitors were not. Only takes one unvaccinated visitor. Same could be said for any other work space. And as for “religious reasons”. There aren’t any. Christians don’t have any special dispensation over the virus than a Jew, Muslim or non believer. Illnesses, calamities and disasters affect everyone the same, regardless of race, colour and belief. The Bible teaches us to follow the laws of the land/government. And to be concerned for our fellow man/woman. I’m not a “faith healer” believer. Although I do believe Christ heals, in miracles and a believer in prayer. I don’t believe we can claim Christ gives us a special exemption over this virus and not complying with being vaccinated. The government/governments of the world with much thought and following the best scientific information, chose the Covid vaccination path. Statistically, the numbers speak the truth, all around the world, the unvaccinated are the ones dying in record numbers. And are continuing to spread the virus, by refusing vaccinations and not following protocols, like masking. Statistics don’t lie…they show the facts. And we all got vaccinated as children in the millions for measles, rubella, smallpox, diphtheria etc.. Including most likely these same people who are refusing now. They all survived the childhood vaccinations, so why are they refusing vaccinations now? In the 1950’s, there was no uproar, no rallies, no outlandish rhetoric surrounding the vaccine’s. The vaccine’s did there job. And we were blessed to have them. And look at the Salk vaccine. A lifesaver for polio victims, and eradicated polio. We rarely see people die from measles, diphtheria and smallpox. So I’m confused as to why there is so much virulent opposition. From several I know who have refused the vaccine, I’ve concluded it’s lack of knowledge and irrational fear. Plain and simple. Irrational fear is what is spread by proponents against the vaccine’s and mandates. Irrational fear is difficult to treat., because it’s, well, it’s irrational.
one of my nurses was fired because they said her natural immunity was not sufficient when everyone knows natural immunity trumps a vaccine -- she and i both have to refuse flu shots and vaccines because of possible latrogenic response -- aka getting sick from previous shots --
the vaccine was developed using embryos from aborted fetuses -- they say the vaccine itself has no embryo parts in it -- but he or she was used in the development of the vaccine and that is why some people claim religious grounds -
early on my daughter was twice vaccinated then boosted and she just got covid --
i took the polio vaccine and i never got polio --
this hershey office employee works from home 98% of the time -- the virus is weakening -- the pandemic is waning --
i too believe that companies have the right to require employees to get vaccinated -- but it's making less and less sense to do so at this point esp with the mounting evidence of the side effects and deaths from the vaccines --
hershey's methods to achieve this are creepy -- they are inconsistent with requiring office workers but not food handlers nor retail workers -- all the invasive questions they asked and the many times they sessioned the questioning - weird!
it's mrc-5 that they get from lung tissue that was used in the development of the vaccine
I believe companies have the right to require employee to get vaccinated. I agree with Jchuck %100. I will not try to convince anyone to take a vaccine because these are people who have made up their minds.
The ….”they use aborted fetuses” is a boldface lie. That happened many, many, many years ago. Over 50 years ago. Was nixed. Another urban myth that keeps circulating around on social media. https://immunizebc.ca/ask-us/questions/do-covid-19-vaccines-contain-aborted-fetal-cells
And yes, you still can get Covid being vaccinated. My daughter/husband and family did. But they were only sick for a week. What the vaccine does is build your immunity so you don’t get severely ill. End up in hospital on a ventilator.
As for invasive questions…that’s 100% illegal here. If that happens, employers face severe consequences. If it’s a rouge human resource’s employee, which of course is possible, they would be fired.
but it's making less and less sense to do so at this point esp with the mounting evidence of the side effects and deaths from the vaccines
Deaths from the vaccine is also another myth that keeps circulating from uninformed sources. People who have, had severe underlying medical conditions. And there were few and far between. Ditto for side effects. Mostly sore arm from vaccination site, possibly tiredness, and rare cases of diarrhea. All of which I just a minor. Millions worldwide vaccinated, and the percentages of death from vaccine were negligible.
it's mrc-5 that they get from lung tissue that was used in the development of the vaccine
Also a myth…lung tissue purported removed from aborted male fetuses…lie, lie, lie.
Information needs to be gleaned from a good source like the CDC or Health Canada
hi june, from your link, starting about the second paragraph:
"Some vaccines are made by growing the vaccine viruses in human fetal cell lines. However, the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells or tissue. The purification process removes nearly all the cell components so that only trace amounts of DNA and protein may be present in the vaccine...
- Fetal cell lines were used to make the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine and the AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine. However, the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells or tissue. The purification process removes nearly all the cell components so that only trace amounts of DNA and protein may be present in the vaccine.
this agrees with what I said, "the vaccine was developed using embryos from aborted fetuses -- they say the vaccine itself has no embryo parts in it -- but he or she was used in the development of the vaccine and that is why some people claim religious grounds -
I said that because you questioned why people ask for religious exemption --
there are zero bold faced lies here --
everyone's belif, opinion and feeling is welcome except for disrespect which includes canceling someone -- so please comply -- thank you
I have not been following this thread except to read about 1/2 of K8s original post. This morning I just read June’s post (#5) and must say I agree 100+% with you. Right now I don’t have time to read (& absorb) the rest of the posts. Hope maybe later today to do that.
The religious exemption is absolute bs. It is just being used as an excuse. This is just a partial list of drugs that fetal cell lines were used in research and development. I highly doubt you will find 1 person who has not used at least one of these. There are also a number of vaccines also such as chickenpox, rubella, hepatitis A and 1 version of rabies vaccine. So please spare the religious exemption bs. I especially love how some of the drugs the misinformed want to use to fight Covid are on the list. So they don’t want the vaccine, yet they want to take Ivermectin.
- Acetaminophen/Tylenol;
- Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin;
- Naproxen/Aleve;
- Pseudoephedrine/Sudafed;
- Aspirin;
- Diphe
- nhydramine/Benadryl;
- Loratadine/Claritin;
- Dextromethorphan/Robitussin;
- Guaifenesin/Mucinex;
- Calcium carbonate/Tums;
- Maalox;
- Docusate/Colace (stool softener);
- Senna (laxative);
- Pepto-Bismol for upset stomach;
- Phenylephrine (decongestant);
- Pyrilamine (antihistamine);
- Lidocaine (topical anesthetic)/Lidoderm/Recticare.
- Here are the writer’s prescription medicines (listed generic name/brand):
- Levothyroxine (for low thyroid)/Synthroid;
- Atorvastatin (for cholesterol)/Lipitor;
- Amlodipine (for blood pressure)/Norvasc;
- Metoprolol (f
- or blood pressure)/Lopressor;
- Losartan (for blood pressure)/Cozaar;
- Omeprazole (antacid)/Prilosec;
- Albuterol (for asthma)/Salbutamol;
- Sacubitril/Entresto;
- Tenapor (for IBS)/Ibsrela;
- Etanercept/Enbrel;
- Azithromycin, antibiotic/Zithromax;
- Hydroxychloroquin (not for COVID)/Plaquenil;
- Remdesivir/Veklury;
- Dapagliflozin/Jardiance (as seen on TV?);
- Ivermectin (not for COVID, antiparasitic)/Stromectal;
- Canagliflozin/Invokana;
- Metformin (diabetes)/Glucophage;
- Cerivastatin (cholesterol)/many brands;
- Simvastatin (cholesterol)/Zocor;
- Voxelotor (sickle cell disease)/Oxbryta;
- Linisopril (for blood pressure)/Zestril.
The religious exemption is absolute bs. It is just being used as an excuse. This is just a partial list of drugs that fetal cell lines were used in research and development. I highly doubt you will find 1 person who has not used at least one of these. There are also a number of vaccines also such as chickenpox, rubella, hepatitis A and 1 version of rabies vaccine. So please spare the religious exemption bs. I especially love how some of the drugs the misinformed want to use to fight Covid are on the list. So they don’t want the vaccine, yet they want to take Ivermectin.
- Acetaminophen/Tylenol;
- Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin;
- Naproxen/Aleve;
- Pseudoephedrine/Sudafed;
- Aspirin;
- Diphe
- nhydramine/Benadryl;
- Loratadine/Claritin;
- Dextromethorphan/Robitussin;
- Guaifenesin/Mucinex;
- Calcium carbonate/Tums;
- Maalox;
- Docusate/Colace (stool softener);
- Senna (laxative);
- Pepto-Bismol for upset stomach;
- Phenylephrine (decongestant);
- Pyrilamine (antihistamine);
- Lidocaine (topical anesthetic)/Lidoderm/Recticare.
- Here are the writer’s prescription medicines (listed generic name/brand):
- Levothyroxine (for low thyroid)/Synthroid;
- Atorvastatin (for cholesterol)/Lipitor;
- Amlodipine (for blood pressure)/Norvasc;
- Metoprolol (f
- or blood pressure)/Lopressor;
- Losartan (for blood pressure)/Cozaar;
- Omeprazole (antacid)/Prilosec;
- Albuterol (for asthma)/Salbutamol;
- Sacubitril/Entresto;
- Tenapor (for IBS)/Ibsrela;
- Etanercept/Enbrel;
- Azithromycin, antibiotic/Zithromax;
- Hydroxychloroquin (not for COVID)/Plaquenil;
- Remdesivir/Veklury;
- Dapagliflozin/Jardiance (as seen on TV?);
- Ivermectin (not for COVID, antiparasitic)/Stromectal;
- Canagliflozin/Invokana;
- Metformin (diabetes)/Glucophage;
- Cerivastatin (cholesterol)/many brands;
- Simvastatin (cholesterol)/Zocor;
- Voxelotor (sickle cell disease)/Oxbryta;
- Linisopril (for blood pressure)/Zestril.
Jchuck
This is not even the complete list. There are others but I think this give you a good idea how many common medications both prescription and over the counter are tied to fetal cell lines. No one ever seemed alarmed or concerned about any of them. The “alarm” over the vaccines were raised by those with their own agenda and some people fell for it.
the initial article states that too as well as the link in post 19 —
thanks for the list, goreti
ok — I got it now — I mean what could be the motive for hershey to be so weird about their office staff, who mostly work from home, insisting they be vaccinated and not the food handlers in retail and production — not to mention retail possibly interacting with the public and being exposed to the same — not to mention the office replacements (for the unvaccinated fired ones ) work remotely — I’m not sure what kind of retail they have I just always bought from regular stores —
my idea on this not surprisingly, is money — if they put the whammy on the food handlers, which I would assume there are many more of those than the office staff, they’re gonna hurt their bottom line as people leave or get fired —
if they sift through the office workers, they radiate discomfort which will potentially cull out some of the unvaccinated from retail & the factory —
otherwise how could office workers prove more potentially deadly or spreadable than the other worker-bees —
it’s schizophrenic isn’t it?
what do you think?
I think the whole world has lost its mind, so I don't pay attention anymore. Just stay home with my husband and kitties and visit with the neighbors occasionally.
it really really has truly gone batsh*t crazy in a dangerous way -- I dropped out for a while but I got sucked back in a little --
no, wait, not the link in post 19 -- I typoed that it's in post 10 -- this one:
https://immunizebc.ca/ask-us/questions/do-covid-19-vaccines-contain-aborted-fetal-cells
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%
