Getting America vaccinated will go a long way in helping the country get back to some sort of normal.
Employers such as Instacart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Chobani, Petco, Darden Restaurants, McDonald’s and Dollar General are already among a growing list of companies giving employees the time off and extra money to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Kroger awards employees $ 100 in store credit in addition to a one-time payment of $ 100 for taking the vaccine. Publix said it will give employees a $ 125 gift card to use in-store after they receive both doses.
For its part, Krispy Kreme Donuts offers everyone – employed or not – with proof of a Covid vaccination a free donut.
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And The Greenhouse of Walled Lake, a marijuana dispensary in Walled Lake, Michigan, gives anyone over 21 with proof of vaccination a free pre-rolled joint. The “Pot for Shots” promotion is “a way of thanking you for helping end this pandemic and bring us back to normal,” said the pharmacy.
According to a report by the Society for Human Resource Management, nearly a quarter of working Americans who are likely or certainly not going to be vaccinated would consider getting an injection if they receive a cash bonus or stipend.
And yet, according to the most recent census, 88% of organizations are unsure or have no plans to provide incentives to encourage vaccinations.
More than 9 in 10 employees said their employer does not provide incentives, or does not know if this is the case, the report found.
But that’s likely to change, said Amber Clayton, director of the Society for Human Resource Management’s Knowledge Center.
As vaccines become more available and employers try to get back to work, we’ll see more companies offering incentives, she said.
While a glazed donut is unlikely to tip the scales, “they are making a statement and supporting vaccinations,” Clayton said.
A separate investigation by Blackhawk Network found that this strategy could be effective. More than two-thirds of workers said they would accept a financial incentive of as little as $ 10 to $ 1,000. A third said they would get vaccinated for $ 100 or less.
Most said money was the best motivator, paid time off a distant second choice. Blackhawk Network surveyed more than 2,000 adults in January.
If your company offers a free or add-on for proof of vaccination, you can email me at [email protected]
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