‘It’s going to be contentious no matter where an employer lands on inoculation requirements’
Nearly half (49 per cent) of working Americans believe employers should require people to have COVID-19 vaccines in the workplace, according to a survey.
And if employers require additional vaccinations following the initial round of inoculations, many believe it should be shouldered by the federal government (38 per cent), employers (25 per cent), insurance providers (25 per cent) or state and local government (eight per cent).
Only three per cent believe employees should shoulder the cost, according to the survey by Eagle Hill Consulting.
"With COVID-19 vaccines in reach for workers, there indeed is reason to feel hopeful after a crushing year for families, businesses and the economy. But the road ahead will be complicated for employers," says Melissa Jezior, president and CEO of Eagle Hill Consulting.
"The workforce clearly is split on employer vaccine mandates, so it's going to be contentious no matter where an employer lands on inoculation requirements."
Canadian HR Reporter spoke with an employer lawyer recently to discuss the legalities of workers being mandated to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Support varies
The level of support for compulsory workplace vaccinations varies by age and gender, finds the survey of more than 1,000 respondents.
Support is stronger among men (53 per cent) than women (44 per cent). Among age groups, younger workers are most supportive of the program (62 per cent), followed by millennials (50 per cent), gen X (46 per cent) and baby boomers (46 per cent).
Safety measures
And even when a vaccine is in place, employers still want to have safety measures against COVID-19 in place in the workplace.
- 53 per cent support an employer requirement on masks
- 40 per cent support an employer requirement on social distancing
- 26 per cent support an employer requirement on personal protective
- 24 per cent support employer mandates on regular COVID-19 testing
- 44 per cent of employees support mandates on temperature checks
A report in September found the workplace was linked to one in five COVID-19 infections in Ontario.
