ACROSS THE COUNTRY…COMPANIES ARE GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS TO GET EMPLOYEES VACCINATED FOR COVID-19.
EMPLOYERS HAVE TRIED WITH A CARROT IN THE FORM OF PTO, GIFT CARDS, AND CASH.
BUT NOW OTHERS ARE USING A STICK.
DELTA AIRLINES IS THE LATEST EMPLOYER TO ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW COVID POLICY… it WILL CHARGE UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES an additional 200 DOLLARS PER MONTH for their health plan.
THE COMPANY WILL also LIMIT SICK PAY FOR EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A COVID VACCINE.
THE POLICY CHANGE COMES FOR TWO REASONS.
FIRST- MOST INSURERS ARE NO LONGER FOOTING THE BILL FOR COVID TREATMENTS…LEAVING COMPANIES TO PAY…IN TURN CREATING HIGHER PREMIUMS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
THE SECOND- NOW THAT PFIZER’S VACCINE IS FULLY FDA APPROVED, COMPANIES DON’T HAVE TO BE AS ACCOMMODATING AS BEFORE. THEY COULD JUST MAKE THE VACCINE MANDATORY.
DELTA’S NOT THE ONLY ONE USING MONEY AS A MOTIVATOR…EARLIER THIS SUMMER THE NFL ANNOUNCED PLAYERS COULD LOSE THEIR WEEKLY SALARIES IF A GAME IS CANCELLED BECAUSE OF A COVID OUTBREAK AND CANT BE RESCHEDULED.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE REST OF AMERICA’S WORKFORCE? WELL, EXPECT OTHER COMPANIES TO FOLLOW ON DELTA’S WINGS…MAKING UNVAXXED WORKERS PAY UP.