Covid vaccine: Workers back mandatory jabs

Most Australian workers back employers who want to make the Covid vaccine compulsory in the workplace, a survey found.

With NSW and Victoria in lockdown again, three in five Australian workers say they are open to their employer mandating Covid-19 vaccinations in the workplace.

That’s according to the June quarter ELMO Employee Sentiment Index based on a survey of 1000 workers in late June.

The survey found that 62 per cent of Australian workers believe employers should make it compulsory for their employees to be vaccinated.

Nearly half (44 per cent) of respondents said they do not feel comfortable going into work if their colleagues don’t get the jab.

Three quarters (76 per cent) of workers believe the economy will only return to normal if the nation’s vaccine program is successfully rolled out.

Only two in five (41 per cent) believe the nation’s vaccine rollout is on track.

ELMO Software CEO Danny Lessem said the Covid vaccine will complicate matters for employers in the coming months.

“We are already seeing different companies take different approaches to managing vaccination requirements in the workplace. It’s far from a cut-and-dried matter and will require employers to be able to engage in transparent one-to-one communication with their employees,” he said.

“The vaccine rollout is an important issue for workers’ perceptions of economic security with 76 per cent stating the economy will only return to normal if the rollout is successful. The message from Australian workers is clear – to kickstart the economy we need to kickstart the vaccine rollout.”

It comes as top Australian businesses are offering a range of perks to encourage more people to get a Covid-19 jab.

Here are some of the best deals on offer.

QANTAS

Qantas will offer free flights for a year across its network, including Jetstar, as a prize for passengers who get vaccinated.

The airline’s new incentive program will reward vaccinated Australians with ‘mega prizes’, including unlimited travel for a year for 10 lucky families as well as 1000 points flight vouchers and credits.

In addition to flights, the airline is working with hotel business Accor Group, which will offer free accommodation offerings to the winning families.

Free flights for the vaccinated.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

A giveaway of millions of Velocity Frequent Flyer points, as well as dozens of free business class flights for Australian residents who get vaccinated.

As part of the airline’s new vaccine competition, VA-X & Win, one lucky Australian will become a Velocity Frequent Flyer millionaire, meaning they could “fly around Australia seven times between each capital city, or redeem the points to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip when international borders reopen.”

UBER

10,000 free rides to and from Covid-19 vaccination appointments for people living with a disability, and their carers, through a partnership with Able Australia.

LUXURY ESCAPES

Australian travel site Luxury Escapes is throwing $200 million into incentives, offering $200 vaccine vouchers for those who get vaccinated.

How can you refuse this?

CLUBS NSW

Clubs NSW and Australia CEO Josh Landis pledged a free beer for vaccinated adults.

“It is our responsibility to help promote the vaccination program and what better way to do it than to say, ‘get a jab, get a beer’,” he said.

“We want clubs to get open as soon as possible, we want people to get back to work. We want people to be enjoying themselves and get past the mental health issues that come from being in lockdown.”

NSW PUBLIC SERVANTS

60,000 NSW local government staff from over 100 councils will be able to take time off to get vaccinated without losing pay or leave entitlements.

“This new leave allowance allows council staff to get vaccinated without impacting their regular sick leave,” Local Government NSW president Linda Scott said.

RETAIL INDUSTRY

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said, “the ARA is working with the federal government on how the retail industry can assist in the vaccination rollout, and incentives are in the mix to boost take-up rates.”

“The most important thing is that we utilise the capabilities of the retail sector to get as many people vaccinated as possible,” he said.

“Our largest retailers have wide networks and a strong physical presence across the country, and it makes sense to consider them for vaccination hubs to (expedite) the rollout.”

A free coffee? half price tickets, a special experience discount? Do you have a deal/offer or incentive for Australians who have been vaccinated?

Tell us about them in an email to [e-mail]

Originally published as Covid vaccine: Workers back mandatory jabs