Friday, July 30, 2021

CNN: Goldman Sachs draws a line in the sand on employee vaccination July 2021

 https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/29/business/goldman-sachs-vaccine-building/index.html

Goldman Sachs draws a line in the sand on employee vaccination

By Alexis Benveniste, CNN Business

Updated 8:39 PM ET, Thu July 29, 2021

New York (CNN)All eyes are on Wall Street as the Covid-19 Delta variant continues to spread and Corporate America starts rolling out vaccination policies.

And although there's talk of banks requiring employees to show proof of vaccination, 

Goldman Sachs has drawn its line in the sand. The investment bank is barring employees from using their ID cards to enter the office building if they haven't submitted proof of their vaccination status, a spokesperson for the company told CNN Business.

Goldman's plan

Goldman Sachs employees are currently required to report their vaccine status to the company, a policy that was instituted on June 10. Failure to do so comes with specific consequences.

"If you do not report your vaccine status to Goldman, your ID card will not work to enter the building," a spokesperson for the company told CNN Business. "The entrance of the building is contingent on you reporting your vaccine status," the spokesperson added.

Unvaccinated employees are required to get a rapid Covid-19 test on site at the Goldman Sachs office and will be tested regularly, the spokesperson said. Employees who test positive will immediately be asked to leave the building.

How other banks are handling the return to work

Morgan Stanley (MS)'s New York office is banning all unvaccinated staff and clients from entering its headquarters. All employees who work in buildings with a "large employee presence" were required to confirm their vaccination status by July 1, according to a memo to employees.

At Deutsche Bank (DB), there are no restrictions on employees who are vaccinated and have shared their vaccine status with the company, a spokesperson for the bank told CNN Business. Unvaccinated employees and employees who don't share their vaccination status, however, are required to answer a set of questions about any symptoms and travel, and must wear masks and get tested several times per week at the office.

Citibank employees who are vaccinated can submit their vaccine cards, and employees who are not vaccinated are required to test three times per week with an at-home rapid test. After taking the test, the employees upload their results to the test's app for their employer to see.

Bank of America (BAC) was more vague when asked for specifics on how their vaccine policy will be implemented. "We are pulling folks back who have shared their vaccination status," a spokesperson for the company told CNN Business. "We are prioritizing the vaccinated coming back," the spokesperson added.

Wells Fargo (CBEAX) is "collecting vaccination status from our employees to better enable our focus on health and safety in the workplace," a spokesperson for the company told CNN Business.

Jefferies (JEF) is only allowing vaccinated employees into the office according to a memo that the company's CEO and president sent to employees, and only after they're past the appropriate waiting period for full vaccine efficacy. "We require that, after Labor Day, anyone who is not fully vaccinated should continue to work from home," the memo said.

Barclays declined to comment on its vaccine policy.

JP Morgan Chase, UBS, HSBC did not respond to CNN's request for comment.

Wall Street's push for the office

For months, Wall Street has pushed for employees to come back to the office as more Americans get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman and Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, for example, both made it clear that they're expecting their employees to return by Labor Day — a date that is quickly approaching yet might become a moving target as the Delta variant continues to spread.

Gorman previously warned that he'll be "very disappointed" if workers aren't back by Labor Day. And for those who are not, "we'll have a different kind of conversation," he said. As for Moynihan, he recently said, "Our view is all the vaccinated teammates will be back" after Labor Day.

The rush to get back to the office is due, in part, to work cultural concerns, as Zoom calls and Slack messages are no substitute for in-person meetings and training. Others worries center on cybersecurity and risk management vulnerabilities inherent in businesses that conduct billions of dollars of transactions every day.

At its core, banking is a highly interactive business — and no one on hyper-competitive Wall Street wants to lose a deal because of a slow WiFi connection.

-- CNN's Matt Egan contributed to this report


College Degree, Affordable and Accessible/ 10,000 free online college courses and credit-bearing exams to prospective students July 2021

 

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Morgan State Joins the Fast Start Program That Could Offer Significant Savings to Students

Modern States, a philanthropy dedicated to making a college degree more affordable and accessible, will provide at least 10,000 free online college courses and credit-bearing exams to prospective students. This will save over $10 million in tuition and expenses for HBCU students.

Novartis Teams Up With HBCUs to Combat Systemic Racial Disparities in Healthcare July 2021

 

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Novartis Teams Up With HBCUs to Combat Systemic Racial Disparities in Healthcare

As an initial step, the Novartis US Foundation plans to invest $20 million in scholarships, mentorships, and research grants over the next 10 years to help create equitable access to high-quality education and professional development for HBCU students in health-related fields. This will include three-year scholarships of $10,000 a year for up to 360 students at select HBCUs.

Black Access to Healthcare Lags in States That Show a High Level of Structural Racism July 2021

 

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Study Finds Black Access to Healthcare Lags in States That Show a High Level of Structural Racism

The results showed that the higher the level of racism in a given state, the less access Black people in that state had to health care. The higher the level of racism in a given state, the more access White people had to health care. In addition, the worse the state’s racism score, the higher the quality of care White people reported receiving.

Humanitarian Leadership Academy. Strategic Thinking Course. KAYA July 2021


Strategic Thinking

 

Learn how to turn a plan into action, identify critical success factors, as well as how to measure the plan’s ongoing success!

 

 

 

 

2021 Southeast Private-Public Partners Summit, August 3 – 5, 2021 “Ten Years of Small Steps and Giant Leaps”

Please join us for the fifth annual Southeast Private-Public Partners Summit, August 3rd – 5th. This year’s event will be hosted via Zoom by FEMA Region 4 and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. This year marks the tenth anniversary of FEMA’s first-ever Private Sector mission, following the 2011 tornado super outbreak that swept across the Southeast. Each day will include sessions addressing issues important to our private-public partnerships, such as how to prepare for and respond to short-notice disasters, supply chain challenges, cyber security, and building resilient communities. For agenda and to register, click here. 

DHS OIG Report: FY 2018 Audit of Science and Technology Bankcard Program Indicates Risks July 2021

 

News from the Department of Homeland Security OIG
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Newly Released

 

The Latest DHS OIG report is available on our website.


 

Office of Public Affairs
E: dhs-oig.officepublicaffairs@oig.dhs.gov
                       
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL l DHS
WWW.OIG.DHS.GOV  l TWITTER: @DHSOIG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FY 2018 Audit of Science and Technology Bankcard Program Indicates Risks

Although the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) had internal controls in place to ensure it managed and maintained its Bankcard Program as required, S&T did not always adhere to Department of Homeland Security and internal purchase card policies and procedures. Of 421 purchase card transactions selected for review, we identified 394 transactions that did not have required supporting documentation, separation of key transaction duties, approvals and other required signatures, or did not comply with other risk-based procedures.

According to S&T officials, these issues occurred due to shortfalls in program oversight and training, as well as outdated policy. As a result, we identified $63,213 in questionable costs associated with purchase card transactions for which S&T personnel could not provide supporting documentation.

Without S&T adherence to established policies and procedures, there is an increased risk of loss and vulnerability to fraud. In addition, S&T has less assurance its internal controls are effective in mitigating the risk of fraud and inappropriate charge card practices.

Read Report No. OIG-21-51

 

 


OIG Report: nadequate FEMA Oversight Delayed Completion and Closeout of Louisiana's Public Assistance Projects. July 2021

 

Newly Released

 

The Latest DHS OIG report is available on our website.


 

Office of Public Affairs
E: dhs-oig.officepublicaffairs@oig.dhs.gov
                       
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL l DHS
WWW.OIG.DHS.GOV  l TWITTER: @DHSOIG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inadequate FEMA Oversight Delayed Completion and Closeout of Louisiana's Public Assistance Projects

FEMA did not ensure Louisiana adequately managed and provided oversight of PA grants to make certain the State complied with Federal regulations. Specifically, Louisiana had a backlog of 600 incomplete projects beyond their approved completion dates. We attribute this to the State not conducting regular site visits to assess subrecipients’ ongoing projects and identify and resolve issues as they arose that would have helped ensure prompt project completion. In addition, FEMA had a backlog of 2,150 completed grant projects it had not closed out due to inadequate oversight of its Region 6 staff to ensure they promptly carried out this responsibility.

As of the fourth quarter of 2018, the combined backlog of 2,750 grant projects represented nearly $6.6 billion in obligated funds. By May 2020, FEMA had reduced the backlog, but the significant number of remaining projects potentially could lead to delays in reimbursing applicants, as well as deobligating funds that could be put to better use. Multiple hurricanes in 2020, along with the pandemic, make it especially critical for FEMA to reduce the backlog, thereby ensuring timely assistance to disaster survivors and prudent use of taxpayer dollars.

Read Report No. OIG-21-50

 

 


2022-2023 FELLOWSHIPS AT THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER Deadline: October 1, 2021

 

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2022-2023 FELLOWSHIPS AT THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER 

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is announcing the opening of its 2022-2023 Fellowship competition. The Center awards approximately 15-20 academic year residential fellowships to academics, journalists, former public officials, and independent experts from any country with outstanding project proposals on global issues. The Center welcomes policy-relevant proposals which complement the Center’s programming priorities. Within this framework, the Wilson Center supports projects that intersect with contemporary policy issues and provide the historical and/or cultural context for some of today’s significant public policy debates.

Applicants must hold a doctorate or have equivalent professional experience.

Fellows are provided stipends of $10,000 per month, private windowed offices, Library of Congress access, and part-time research assistants.

The Center encourages applicants to apply online. Additional information and the application are available at www.wilsoncenter.org/fellowships. Please visit www.wilsoncenter.org/wcprograms for more information on the Center’s programs. You may also contact the Scholars and Academic Relations Office at fellowships@wilsoncenter.org or call (202) 691-4170 for more information.

Application deadline: October 1, 2021 

Food Insecurity. Building Effective Food Systems for Cities. July 2021


 

Cities on the Frontline: Building Effective Food Systems for Cities

According to a 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, over half of the world’s population, 60% worldwide, say they are worried about the food they eat. During our most recent Cities on the Frontline Speaker Series event Dr. Gayatri Acharya, World Bank and Dr. Steven Jaffee, University of Maryland, outlined from their new book, "Rich Food, Smart City” that urban food system performance matters - and what is more, there is a business case for action. Cities must do more to address food systems in order to fully realize related city aspirations, as well as because the performance of urban food systems is often tied to the delivery of food on a national scale. However, food is often a missing ingredient in the many dialogues on sustainable or smart cities – we must work to better address this shortcoming. Watch the full session here.

 

 





 

 


K12 Level. For our next generation leaders. Advancing Play as Key Component to Building Urban Resilience July 2021

 

Advancing Play as Key Component to Building Urban Resilience

Working with eight ambassador cities across the world – representatives from Barcelona, Belfast, Colima, Houston, Milano, Montreal, Ramallah and Tbilisi, have committed to bring visibility and financing options to play-based solutions as part of the partnership with R-Cities and the Real Play Coalition. To kick off this effort, we want to hear from you! Help us to understand the opportunities and barriers to play in your community by completing our survey here. Data and responses from the survey will help us structure the agenda for future knowledge exchanges, as well as add context to our Pledge for Play to be launched in early 2022.

 

 

 

ANNOUNCING: A new Community of Learning and Practice accelerating sustainable business models to foster urban resilience in Latin America
The Community aims to inspire innovative solutions through learnings and exchanges on how entrepreneurship can address social, environmental, and economic resilience challenges. Participating cities – Quito, Mexico City, Salvador, Buenos Aires, and Cordoba-, are advancing resilience by creatively solving their pressing urban issues. Cities, entrepreneurs, and private sector partners are committed to strengthening sustainable investments and business practices. This initiative is part of the Regional Initiative for Resilient Cities, in partnership with Avina Foundation and IDB-Lab, with the support of Citi Foundation. Learn more about this initiative here.

 

 

City Resilient Solutions

 

Lessons from Buenos Aires: How Cities Can Address Climate Change

David Groisman, Director of Resilience and General Director of Strategic Management with the City of Buenos Aires and R-Cities Global Steering Committee member recently shared five lessons learned from the development of the city’s climate change strategy. These ideas are useful for any public policy maker who is today involved in addressing climate change in an urban context. Like always, when investing in urban resilience, taking action on climate in cities represents an opportunity to not only offset the city's environmental footprint, but also to invest in a better quality of life for all. Review the five lessons shared and full article here.

 

 

Glasgow Set to Protect Vulnerable Communities from Climate Change

A cross-sector coalition of local councils, academics, infrastructure bodies, and the NHS recently published a Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for the Glasgow City Region. The report estimates that an increase in extreme weather events could mean up to 100,000 homes and 18,700 businesses are at risk of flooding by 2080. The plan identifies 11 priority issues that require immediate investment and planning to protect and prepare Glasgow’s under capitalized communities. Solutions include specific around land use proposals, early warning systems, adapting critical infrastructure including homes and workplaces, habitat restoration, and prioritizing social justice. Access the full report here.

 

 

Events Accelerating Urban Resilience

 

Cities on the Frontline: Building Effective Food Systems for Cities

According to a 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, over half of the world’s population, 60% worldwide, say they are worried about the food they eat. During our most recent Cities on the Frontline Speaker Series event Dr. Gayatri Acharya, World Bank and Dr. Steven Jaffee, University of Maryland, outlined from their new book, "Rich Food, Smart City” that urban food system performance matters - and what is more, there is a business case for action. Cities must do more to address food systems in order to fully realize related city aspirations, as well as because the performance of urban food systems is often tied to the delivery of food on a national scale. However, food is often a missing ingredient in the many dialogues on sustainable or smart cities – we must work to better address this shortcoming. Watch the full session here.

 

 

Urban Ocean: Utilizing Principles of Circularity to Address Plastic Waste

As part of the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCRC 2030) event series, R-Cities joined partners with the Ocean Conservancy, Diponegoro University, and University of Georgia to discuss the application of specific tools associated with the Urban Ocean Program. Presentations during the event provided insights into the various methodologies applied in cities to address the interrelated challenges of urban development and ocean plastic waste using a resilience lens. Specifically, speakers addressed the application of Circularity Assessment protocol (CAP) tool, as well as findings from participant cities engaged in the program through case studies including Semarang, Indonesia where stakeholders have demonstrated success applying both the CAP and Opportunity Assessment Tool. Watch the full session here

 

 

Asia Pacific Cities Race to COP26

R-Cities Executive Director, Lauren Sorkin, joined the event marking the official launch of the Cities Race to Resilience. The Cities Race to Resilience is the official track for cities to join the UNFCCC Climate Champions Race to Resilience campaign which launched in January 2021. Several city networks and organizations are working together through this effort to raise the profile of urban resilience action. Global city partners, in addition to R-Cities, include C40 Cities, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, United Cities and Local Governments, CDP, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, World Resources Institute, and Making Cities Resilient 2030. Learn more here.
 

 

 

Press

 

Urbanet, Co-Designing Resilient Recovery in Cities

In this article, Dana Omran, Global Director of Strategy & Regional Director of Africa, R-Cities and Dr. Nazmul Huq, ICLEI argue that if countries and cities design their economic recovery plans wisely, they can tackle the pandemic and climate crises in tandem. However, “green” recovery plans often leave out the key element of building resilience from an integrated and inclusive perspective. Building resilience is about recognizing uncertainties, shocks and stresses are interconnected, and solutions have to be as well. As cities recover from COVID-19, smart and green investments and policies on resilience can create multiple benefits: helping cities boost their economies and create jobs; improving equity and reducing poverty; and preparing communities for inevitable climate and health threats.

 

 

TIME, City Heat is Worse if You’re Not Rich or White. The World's First Heat Officer Wants to Change That

Jane Gilbert, former Chief Resilience Officer, City of Miami is the City's newly announce interim Chief Heat Officer. Jane is very aware and vocal of the disparities in the way urban heat impacts communities. In this article, R-Cities Regional Director for North America, Laurian Farrell, points out that a shift in attitude is taking place in many cities around the world in the wake of the pandemic. The spread of COVID-19 in lower-income neighborhoods, where people couldn’t afford to take time off work to isolate, or where housing was overcrowded or hygiene infrastructure lacking, showed local governments that at times of crisis, their failure to invest in the most vulnerable can put the entire city at risk. 

 

 

The Jakarta Post, Indonesia must chart a way to urban sustainability

Even as Indonesia confronts the significant near-term challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jakarta and other municipalities should also leverage the opportunity for reassessment and reinvention as part of longer time moves toward greater resilience. This point was echoed by R-Cities Executive Director Lauren Sorkin, "Municipalities must foster more effective multi-sectoral conversations to generate responsive and inclusive urban infrastructure investments. This will help create more resilient cities, bringing together intellectual and financial capital to revitalize local economies ravaged by the pandemic."

 

 

Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities) carries on the foundational work of 100 Resilient Cities. If you are interested in receiving more information about our city-led, regionally-driven, and impact-focused initiatives driving action around the world, subscribe, follow us on social media, or share as deemed appropriate here:
 

 

 

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