We join together to voice our strong opposition to the divisive rhetoric and one-size-fits-all mandates that Ascend Learning is implementing in response to COVID-19. This is not an anti-vaccination petition. Instead, we are united in our conviction that all people should be treated with respect in accordance with Ascend’s values. We are contractors and employees, full-time and part-time, remote and in-office, representing many departments. The signatures on this petition represent people who individually hold at least one of the concerns listed below.
- Toxic Work Environment - Policies are creating a divided culture that lends itself to disrespect and a feeling of being devalued
- Remote Work Preference - Do not feel comfortable or do not want to return to office in 2022
- Slippery Slope - Worried about where and when Ascend mandates will end (e.g., requirement for other vaccinations, boosters, other policies related to personal health choices)
- Uncomfortable Disclosing Private Information - Health conditions, vaccination status, religious beliefs
- Vaccination Preference - People who have chosen to not be vaccinated on account of religion, medical factors, natural immunity, personal uncertainty, desire for more evidence
- Unequal Treatment - Different policies and requirements based on geographic location
- Ascend’s Future - Mandate will leave Ascend understaffed and missing critical skill sets
For 18+ months we have demonstrated our commitment to Ascend and our ability to work remotely. We have been flexible, pivoting when needed, and multitasking through personal hardships. We have supported each other, leaning into our company values and the promise that we were in this together.
The rhetoric used by Ascend’s Senior Leadership Team and the resulting policy decisions are excessive and unnecessarily divisive. The result is a workplace where people are viewed by their willingness to comply with an ever-evolving policy rather than their ability to perform their job. The current mandates were implemented in the name of public safety. However, they have been more effective at deteriorating company culture and employee mental health, which in turn has an impact on business. It has already resulted in employee turnover and promises to result in more as the deadlines for vaccination and return to office approach.
Those signing this petition commit to Ascend’s value of inclusiveness. We value the diversity of people, thoughts and experiences. We take the time to listen, respect, and treat each other with civility and appreciation. We actively challenge our assumptions, work to broaden our understanding of others and strive to create an environment where all of us can thrive and contribute. We respectfully ask the Ascend Senior Leadership Team to do the same.
We appreciate the need to protect our workplace and our communities. However, we feel strongly that the current approach is more destructive than useful in achieving that goal. Those signing this petition are in favor of Ascend modifying the existing policies to include
- Covid-19 vaccine rescinded as a condition of employment
- Allow continuance of remote working options for all employees
- Limited to attestation, no more questions about the vaccine including no submission for proof of vaccination, no medical exemption request, no religious accommodation request, or other invasive personal questions
- For in office: Covid vaccine, proof of antibodies, or negative test (sponsored by the company)
Updates
November 1, 2021
I have been reading through your stories about the environment at Ascend and I am honestly overwhelmed by your vulnerability. This momentum belongs entirely to the people who took the time to speak up about their own experiences. I am currently working on organizing these points to ensure your concerns are presented clearly to the leadership team.
29 Comments
I have worked for Ascend for over 10 years and this is sickening. The fact that we also are fearful of retaliation shows it’s toxic. The shot is experimental and why wouldn’t the company also allow a negative test? I agree with everyone else’s comments here. It’s become a hostile work environment.
I am in alignment with this petition. Vaccine and health mandates absolutely should not be part of a company’s culture (let alone a health company. Decisions to mandate this sort of action and place expectations of private medical information disclosure upon employees and contractors is unacceptable.
I endorse this with a false name due to concerns for retaliation. My request to leadership is to consider options for team members to work remotely; with the understanding that all previously required deliverables of the position must be met. No special stickers, badges, or privileges to those most comfortable supporting the success of our business on-site or remotely. This mandate just doesn’t feel like the “right thing to do.”
I've been an employee for 20 years. I recently got vaccinated so I wouldn't be terminated. I went against everything I believe in for this company. It's caused severe anxiety and depression. I didn't even get a happy anniversary for my 20 years of commitment, loyalty and passion. I got you will be terminated if you don't get vaccinated. I stand by my fellow colleagues.
I love this company and the culture of allowing employees to make decisions and choices best for the company and best for themselves. There is a push for work -life balance, and this decision falls in personal life category! Please allow everyone the freedom to make an informed decision best for their lives- medically, mentally, or religiously without having to ask the company for permission.
This is totally political theater, Ascend doesn't want US employees anyway, they are contracting everything to Mexico and India. Have they made the same mandate to the contractors? This is nothing short of virtue signalling and heavy handed woke-politics, you're either all in, or you're gone.
BOO FRICKEN HOO. "We the People" think you need to grow up and put your big kid undies on and get the shot. You folks so weak-minded that you fall for any little meme propaganda piece that comes around, and it's embarrassing.
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We join together to voice our strong opposition to the divisive rhetoric and one-size-fits-all mandates that Ascend Learning is implementing in response to COVID-19. This is not an anti-vaccination petition. Instead, we are united in our conviction that all people should be treated with respect in accordance with Ascend’s values. We are contractors and employees, full-time and part-time, remote and in-office, representing many departments. The signatures on this petition represent people who individually hold at least one of the concerns listed below.
- Toxic Work Environment - Policies are creating a divided culture that lends itself to disrespect and a feeling of being devalued
- Remote Work Preference - Do not feel comfortable or do not want to return to office in 2022
- Slippery Slope - Worried about where and when Ascend mandates will end (e.g., requirement for other vaccinations, boosters, other policies related to personal health choices)
- Uncomfortable Disclosing Private Information - Health conditions, vaccination status, religious beliefs
- Vaccination Preference - People who have chosen to not be vaccinated on account of religion, medical factors, natural immunity, personal uncertainty, desire for more evidence
- Unequal Treatment - Different policies and requirements based on geographic location
- Ascend’s Future - Mandate will leave Ascend understaffed and missing critical skill sets
For 18+ months we have demonstrated our commitment to Ascend and our ability to work remotely. We have been flexible, pivoting when needed, and multitasking through personal hardships. We have supported each other, leaning into our company values and the promise that we were in this together.
The rhetoric used by Ascend’s Senior Leadership Team and the resulting policy decisions are excessive and unnecessarily divisive. The result is a workplace where people are viewed by their willingness to comply with an ever-evolving policy rather than their ability to perform their job. The current mandates were implemented in the name of public safety. However, they have been more effective at deteriorating company culture and employee mental health, which in turn has an impact on business. It has already resulted in employee turnover and promises to result in more as the deadlines for vaccination and return to office approach.
Those signing this petition commit to Ascend’s value of inclusiveness. We value the diversity of people, thoughts and experiences. We take the time to listen, respect, and treat each other with civility and appreciation. We actively challenge our assumptions, work to broaden our understanding of others and strive to create an environment where all of us can thrive and contribute. We respectfully ask the Ascend Senior Leadership Team to do the same.
We appreciate the need to protect our workplace and our communities. However, we feel strongly that the current approach is more destructive than useful in achieving that goal. Those signing this petition are in favor of Ascend modifying the existing policies to include
- Covid-19 vaccine rescinded as a condition of employment
- Allow continuance of remote working options for all employees
- Limited to attestation, no more questions about the vaccine including no submission for proof of vaccination, no medical exemption request, no religious accommodation request, or other invasive personal questions
- For in office: Covid vaccine, proof of antibodies, or negative test (sponsored by the company)
Updates
November 1, 2021
I have been reading through your stories about the environment at Ascend and I am honestly overwhelmed by your vulnerability. This momentum belongs entirely to the people who took the time to speak up about their own experiences. I am currently working on organizing these points to ensure your concerns are presented clearly to the leadership team.
29 Comments
I strongly feel SLT mandating my healthcare is a violation of my civil rights. There are risks associated with the vaccine that should never be forced on someone. The idea that the SLT is forcing us to choose our job over a jab proves how selfish their decisions are considering remote accommodations could be approved. I personally have never 1 day worked in the office for Ascend and I am a highly productive individual.
I have worked for Ascend for over 10 years and this is sickening. The fact that we also are fearful of retaliation shows it’s toxic. The shot is experimental and why wouldn’t the company also allow a negative test? I agree with everyone else’s comments here. It’s become a hostile work environment.
I am in alignment with this petition. Vaccine and health mandates absolutely should not be part of a company’s culture (let alone a health company. Decisions to mandate this sort of action and place expectations of private medical information disclosure upon employees and contractors is unacceptable.
I endorse this with a false name due to concerns for retaliation. My request to leadership is to consider options for team members to work remotely; with the understanding that all previously required deliverables of the position must be met. No special stickers, badges, or privileges to those most comfortable supporting the success of our business on-site or remotely. This mandate just doesn’t feel like the “right thing to do.”
I've been an employee for 20 years. I recently got vaccinated so I wouldn't be terminated. I went against everything I believe in for this company. It's caused severe anxiety and depression. I didn't even get a happy anniversary for my 20 years of commitment, loyalty and passion. I got you will be terminated if you don't get vaccinated. I stand by my fellow colleagues.
I love this company and the culture of allowing employees to make decisions and choices best for the company and best for themselves. There is a push for work -life balance, and this decision falls in personal life category! Please allow everyone the freedom to make an informed decision best for their lives- medically, mentally, or religiously without having to ask the company for permission.
This is totally political theater, Ascend doesn't want US employees anyway, they are contracting everything to Mexico and India. Have they made the same mandate to the contractors? This is nothing short of virtue signalling and heavy handed woke-politics, you're either all in, or you're gone.
BOO FRICKEN HOO. "We the People" think you need to grow up and put your big kid undies on and get the shot. You folks so weak-minded that you fall for any little meme propaganda piece that comes around, and it's embarrassing.
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I strongly feel SLT mandating my healthcare is a violation of my civil rights. There are risks associated with the vaccine that should never be forced on someone. The idea that the SLT is forcing us to choose our job over a jab proves how selfish their decisions are considering remote accommodations could be approved. I personally have never 1 day worked in the office for Ascend and I am a highly productive individual.