Picture: Mitchell Blair

Almost 300 WestJet employees have been suspended without pay, for not meeting the company’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.

A spokesperson from WestJet, which is Canada’s second largest airline, said on Monday that just under four percent of its 7,300 active employees, about 290 people, are being placed on unpaid leave of absence for one month, for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The airline warned those who do not comply with its vaccine mandate “may face termination of employment”.

On Saturday, WestJet enacted its policy to follow the federal government’s requirement, that all employees in federally regulated air, rail and marine transport sectors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.