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The Chamber has witnessed the direct impact and ripple effect of COVID-19 on our wide range of member businesses. When cases were on the rise and a machine shop was forced to close down, it didn’t just impact their ability to fill orders and generate revenue. It impacted supply chains, families, and even a childcare center. And when a childcare center has to pause operations, employees and productivity of multiple businesses can feel the effect. Over the last year we’ve put precautions in place, changed behaviors and pulled together to stem the tide of positive cases and disruption to business.
Like COVID-19 cases, vaccination rates are having a ripple effect. This time, it’s positive. We’re seeing expanded capacity in restaurants, more traffic in our business districts, and more social activity. We’re seeing this cautious return to normalcy, fueled by rising vaccination rates. Now, we all have to do our part to keep moving those rates up, working together to expand access to normal activities, reduce the need for masks, and grow our economy.
As we increase the percentage of people vaccinated, we lower the risk of infection and potential for emergence of variants. While we can’t predict what comes next, employers and business leaders can influence the outcome by encouraging vaccination among employees, families and customers.
To support your efforts, we’ve curated ideas and resources to help you encourage vaccinations within your business and throughout the community.
How do we encourage vaccination?
- Encourage vaccination through regular communication, educational materials, and providing up-to-date information on vaccination sites.
- Host a vaccine clinic on site—reach out to pharmacies, your insurance provider, or the St. Joseph County Department of Health to explore options.
- Offer a set amount of time off (two hours seems to be average) for employees to get vaccinated and sick pay if they have side effects.
- Recognize everyone makes their decisions in different ways – some feel less urgency, some need more evidence, respect these people, and share the scientific facts,
Ideas to incentivize vaccination:
- Consider your workplace culture – incentives are working across the country – for employees and customers. Some employers are providing cash incentives.
- Purchase gift cards from a locally-owned restaurant and distribute to those who present their vaccination documentation. (ripple effect!)
- Can you provide something to customers who present vaccination documentation and stamp their card? A discount, an extra scoop of ice cream, a free cup of coffee?
Is there funding available to incentivize vaccination?
- The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) allows small- and mid-size employers, and certain governmental employers, to claim refundable tax credits that reimburse them for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave to their employees due to COVID-19, including leave taken by employees to receive or recover from COVID-19 vaccinations. Self-employed individuals are eligible for similar tax credits.
- Small businesses are encouraged to check with your payroll service provider. The IRS is in regular communication with service providers to ensure they understand the programs and to get feedback from their clients.
Should you track vaccination rates?
- If your team is competitive, you might want to keep them updated on vaccination rates across the state and enlist them to help spread the facts and encourage vaccination.
- You can access current information on vaccination rates, by zip code, in St. Joseph County through the COVID Data Hub.
- Create a company vaccination rate tracker to see where you compare with state and local numbers.
- One HR team is tracking vaccination and asking those who choose not to receive the vaccine to complete a declination form.
Can we mandate the vaccine?
- If you decide to mandate vaccine, clearly explain the reasoning behind the decision. Have conversations with those who are unwilling to see if you can reach a shared solution—continued work from home or isolation in the workplace.*
- If you’re interested in more information: Employers That Mandate Vaccines for Employers Defend Their Policies
Are employers and business still requiring masks?
- Some plan to continue safety measures in the workplace, even with the majority of staff vaccinated, with end date to be determined.
- National retailers are continuing to request the use of masks in their stores – and many local retailers, restaurants, and venues are continuing safety protocols to keep all customers safe.
*Source: SHRM Webcast; Employers’ Vital Role in Achieving COVID-19 Immunity; May 6, 2021
Do you have stories to share on the ripple effect of COVID and how your business is navigating vaccinations and safety precautions? How is the increasing vaccination rate impacting your business now? Please share! Email Kate Lee
Additional Resources
Vaccine Considerations for Employers
U.S. Chamber's COVID Vaccinations Digital Resources Center