New York (CNN Business)As vaccine eligibility expands across the United States, more companies are offering incentives to get a jab.
Many US companies are debating whether to mandate vaccines. Over 70% of current or recent CEOs of major companies said they were open to requiring vaccines, a poll by the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute said.
Grocery store workers have been on the front lines for a year, but they're struggling to get the Covid vaccine”I think the right thing to do is for United Airlines, and for other companies, to require the vaccines and to make them mandatory,” Scott Kirby, the United CEO told investors on an earnings call in January.
But not all CEOs agree. Although some industries, such as the healthcare sector, may require vaccines, others are instead offering various incentives to employees.
Depending on the industry, some employees may receive gift cards, while others are offered free rides to vaccination sites. These are the companies that are paying their employees to get vaccinated. Read More
Aldi
In January, the discount grocery chain announced it will give its hourly workers four hours total of PTO to get vaccinated. Aldi emphasized the vaccine would not get in the way of employees’ work or pay.Only 13 states currently offer vaccines to grocery store workers, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million frontline workers, said.
American Airlines
Employees who get vaccinated will get an extra day off next year and $50 in American’s employee recognition program. “I think from our standpoint we’re highly encouraging our team members to go out and get the vaccine,” AA Chief Operating Officer David Seymour said.
Amtrak
Amtrak is giving employees a bonus of two hours of pay when they show proof of their vaccination, as well as excusing absences for those who get vaccinated during work hours.
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Bolthouse Farms
Bolthouse Farms is offering its employees a $500 bonus if they show proof of vaccination, the Wall Street Journal reported. The company also holds vaccination clinics weekly at its main farm.
Dollar General
The discount store popular in rural areas is giving its employees a stipend worth four hours of work to get vaccinated. Dollar General won’t make the vaccine mandatory for its more than 150,000 employees.”We do not want our employees to have to choose between receiving a vaccine or coming to work,” Dollar General (DG) said in a press release.
Instacart
In February, Instacart began giving a $25 “vaccine support stipend” to in-store employees and independent contractors. To be eligible, shoppers need to have delivered five times in a month.
Kroger
Kroger will close 3 grocery stores following Los Angeles hazard pay mandateKroger employees will get a one-time payment of $100 if they show proof of vaccination. Workers who don’t get the vaccine for religious or health reasons can take a health and safety course and receive the payment. “We are strongly encouraging all customers and associates to receive the vaccine to curb the spread of Covid-19, and we’ll do all we can to ensure they have access as soon as it’s available,” Dr. Marc Watkins, Kroger’s chief medical officer, said in a statement.
Lidl
In January, the grocery chain announced it will give $200 of extra pay to its US employees who choose to get the vaccine. Lidl has more than 125 stores across east coast states.Last March, the company worked with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to provide free, comprehensive Covid-19 medical coverage to its employees.
McDonald’s
Workers at both corporate headquarters and restaurants will get up to four hours of paid time off to get vaccinated.
Publix
The popular southern grocery chain is giving its employees $125 gift cards when they show proof of vaccination.
Target
Target (TGT) is giving its workers free rides to vaccination sites. The company announced in February that US employees will be eligible for up to $15 in Lyft rides each way to and from their appointments. Hourly employees will also receive up to four hours of pay.”As we have for the past year, we’ll continue to invest in our team’s pay and benefits so they can take care of themselves, each other and our guests,” Chief Human Resources Officer Melissa Kremer said in a statement.
Trader Joe’s
The California-based grocery store is giving its workers an additional two hours of pay for each dose they receive. — CNN Business’ Nathaniel Meyersohn, Parija Kavilanz, Will Godley and Jazmin Goodwin contributed to this report.
Source: edition.cnn.com
