COVID-19 Vaccine Surcharges, Mandates and Incentives: What Employers Should Know
COVID-19 vaccinations are a highly contentious topic in America. Many U.S. adults still haven’t gotten the shot despite the Food and Drug Administration’s recent (FDA) full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
This reluctance is seen as a problem by health experts, who contest that vaccination is the most effective way to control the widespread coronavirus Delta variant. It’s also a problem for employers wishing to maintain uninterrupted operations and keep employees healthy.
So, if an employer wants a vaccinated workforce but is dealing with vaccine skepticism, what are their options?
This article explores this complicated situation and discusses the multitude of choices facing employers.
Protecting Employees From Coronavirus Delta Variant
This article provides guidance to help employers outline a strategy against Delta and its spread in the workplace.
Understand the Risks.
The Delta variant causes a more debilitating form of COVID-19. That’s because individuals infected with Delta house a thousand times more virus than someone infected with the original strain of coronavirus. More virus means more severe disease and more efficient transmission.
According to health experts, Delta transmission rates are especially concerning; some reports show it is potentially as contagious as chickenpox. That means a greater amount of the virus can be spread to more people faster than at the pandemic’s onset. This is due in part to Delta being transmissible even among the fully vaccinated, in some cases.
What the Delta Variant Means for Return-to-Work Mask Policies
With a growing percentage of the United States population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many localities and, in turn, employers, have eased mask mandates and policies. However, due to the spread of an emerging variant of coronavirus known as Delta, these policies may still need updating, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now announced updates to its mask guidelines.
In this newsletter:
- Protecting Against the Spread of Delta
- Updated CDC Guidance on Mask-wearing
- How Employers Are Reacting
- Mask Policy Considerations for Employers
When drafting or updating workplace policies, employers are recommended to seek advice from local legal counsel.
There are many variables that may influence what the appropriate mask policy is for a workplace, but employee safety should continue to be a priority for employers.
For more return-to-work resources, contact Evolution of Benefits today.
The Delta Variant and Return-to-Work COVID-19 Vaccination Policies
As the highly contagious and transmissible Delta variant spreads across the United States and the numbers of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations rise, many organizations are taking action to protect employees. In some cases, they are mandating that employees get vaccinated before returning to the workplace or encouraging them to do so.
For some employers, these actions make sense, as vaccination plays a key role in inhibiting the spread of Delta. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent coronavirus illness, hospitalization and death. This newsletter explores how employers are including COVID-19 vaccination policies in their return-to work plans.
Vaccination Workplace Policies
By being creative, flexible and adaptive in their approaches, employers are refining their workplace strategies and finding what works for their businesses and keeps their employees and customers safe. Given the current pandemic status, most employers are encouraging or mandating employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Layered Prevention Strategies
Even though studies continue to validate COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States are effective against severe illness and death from coronavirus infection, current vaccination coverage varies across the United States. Another way to protect against the Delta variant is to implement layered prevention strategies to reduce transmission.
HR Insights – Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Programs
Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Programs
While decisions regarding vaccine distribution vary by state and local governments, eligibility will soon expand to most adults in the United States. This means it’s time for employers to prepare to put plans into action. For some organizations, these plans may include a workplace vaccination program.
This HR Insights article provides an overview of guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for workplace vaccination programs, including guidance for on-site and off-site vaccinations, and general considerations for employers.
Download this newsletter for information about providing COVID-19 vaccines to your employees.
HR Insights – CDC Guidance for Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Programs
CDC Guidance for Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Programs
This HR Insights article provides an overview of guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for workplace vaccination programs. As of this writing, vaccine programs are not yet available to many employers, depending on the type of organization and guidance from local officials. However, vaccination programs will extend to additional workplaces as vaccine availability increases, meaning that employers should begin planning accordingly. Employers should continue to monitor CDC guidance and follow direction from local health officials.
Download this newsletter for information about providing COVID-19 vaccines to your employees.
Conducting Performance Reviews With Remote Employees
The time we’re living in now is not like any other period from recent memory. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic downturns and lingering job shortages, it’s safe to say that we’re all charting unknown waters. It can seem like entire processes and workflows have gone out the window—sacrificed for the sake of staying afloat. And performance reviews are among the greatest casualties.
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
