Employers play a critical role in ending the pandemic
March 24, 2021
March 24, 2021
We know not everyone is so convinced about the vaccines. But we also know that, throughout the pandemic, people have consistently trusted their employers to provide reliable COVID-19 information, as well as tools and resources that help them maintain their physical and mental health and well-being.
That’s why, here at Unum, we are actively and strongly encouraging our employees to get vaccinated as soon as a vaccine is offered to them. For the health and safety of all of our customers and policyholders, we urge you to do the same.
Your voice in encouraging vaccination can be very powerful. We have taken several steps at Unum to inform our employees, decrease vaccine hesitation and help get our community well and back to business. Some of these may spark ideas you can use at your own organization.
General vaccine information
Vaccine safety
Vaccine availability
We advise looking for local resources that may have the most up-to-date information about vaccines and virus trends in your area. Check and update information frequently. As we all know, guidance about the pandemic changes from day-to-day.
To the degree practical, it’s important to remove obstacles that may prevent employees from getting their first shots and/or getting second doses in a timely manner. Some employers are allowing time away from the workplace to get vaccinations, others are offering child care while employees get their shots, and some are even providing incentives or rewards to encourage vaccinations.
In deciding not to mandate vaccination, Unum took a host of practical and legal considerations into account. You may want to consult your legal advisor before making your decision. HR experts can help you think through other implications, such as employee concerns about returning to work with people who choose not to be vaccinated.