Lendi, Zip Co among Australian companies giving workers paid time off to get a Covid-19 jab

Forty more companies have joined the growing number of Aussie firms that have pledged to offer workers paid vaccination leave.

Forty companies have pledged to offer paid vaccination leave to workers after leading Australian business groups called on employers to offer the perk.

The CEOs of Lendi Group, Prospa, Zip Co, Honey Insurance, Athena, Valiant Finance and Domain Group announced on Tuesday their staff would be given paid for time off taken to get both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, and launched The Great Aussie Vaccine Drive for other companies to make the same pledge.

Forty Australian businesses have since signed on to the campaign, including Plenti, Port of Brisbane, Tic Toc, TaxiBox, Twilio, Moula, and Illion.

Property developer Lewis Land Group is also offering its 600 workers a similar incentive.

The company is offering two days of extra paid sick leave to encourage vaccinations.

Lewis Land Group CEO Matthew McCarron said businesses had to support the acceleration of the vaccine rollout.

“At Lewis Land Group, we believe the only pathway out of the disruptive cycle of COVID-19 lockdowns is via vaccination.

Lendi Group CEO David Hyman said it was hard for Australians to schedule a jab appointment outside of traditional officer hours, which is why paid time off made sense. Picture: Supplied

“In addition, the physical and mental health of our entire team is of utmost importance.

“That’s why we’re providing all 650 of our people with two days’ paid vaccination leave to encourage our whole team to get their jabs as soon as possible. This includes both permanent and casual employees.

“We’re also offering up a number of our sites as vaccination hubs to increase accessibility to our local communities.

“It’s incumbent on all businesses – big and small – to support the acceleration and advancement of this effort.”

The Great Aussie Vaccine Drive calls on companies to offer some form of paid vaccination leave, while also providing flexibility for casual staff to attend appointments.

Through taking the pledge, companies are asked to:

– Provide permanent employees with paid leave accessible twice, for both doses of their COVID-19 vaccine;

– Make paid vaccination leave available to employees throughout the Government’s vaccine rollout;

– Provide paid vaccination leave or flexible options to make it easier for casual employees to attend vaccination appointments.

“We can see from the events unfolding around the country that getting vaccinated is crucial in protecting Australians and building towards a new Covid normal for all of us,” Lendi Group CEO David Hyman said.

“Between family, work commitments and waitlists, it can be hard to schedule a vaccination time outside of traditional office hours and that’s why we are making it easier for people who are eligible and want to get vaccinated, to do so.”

Mr Hyman said as larger employers, it was their role to make it easier for their staff to access a Covid-19 vaccine if they wanted one.

Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus praised the “vital” move.

“They join with other employers such as NSW local government, the Victorian public service, 75 superannuation funds and banks, Woolworths and Big W who have also stepped up,” Ms McManus said.

“We need all employers to commit to paid vaccination leave, including for casuals, so we can get this job done as soon as possible. Australia is at its best when we all work together.”

She added that paid vaccination leave should also be extended to “insecure workers who don’t have paid leave entitlements”.

However, Kris Grant, CEO of the HR consultancy ASPL Group, warned some employees still had reservations about the vaccine and there was a risk they could be singled out due to their stance of the jab.

“Employers need to create safe places for employees to express themselves and opt in or out of the vaccine, without fear of judgment,” she said.

“Any company could be opened up to bullying claims if a person is made to feel uncomfortable about their vaccination choice.

“With mental health already a significant challenge within the workplace, employers need to continue to support, educate and train their people on the behaviours and values that are acceptable.”

Ms Grant said workers should raise their concerns with their HR department if they are concerned about their employer’s vaccination stance. Employee privacy was paramount, she said.

“While HR might treat vaccine leave as confidential, water cooler chat between employees can still make someone’s vaccination status known to others in the workforce, especially if the person in question tells just one person their vaccine status,” she said.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation currently recommends the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for those under 60-years-old, and AstraZeneca for those above that age.

However, younger people have been encouraged to talk to their General Practitioner about the AstraZeneca vaccine if they would access a jab sooner.

You can check if you are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine here.

Employers can take The Great Aussie Vaccine Drive pledge here.

Do you have a deal/offer or incentive for Australians who have been vaccinated? Tell us about them in an email.

Originally published as Lendi, Zip Co among Australian companies giving workers paid time off to get a Covid-19 jab