Perceptyx, the employee survey and people analytics platform, today released new data focused on the role of the COVID vaccine in return to work scenarios. As the world nears 10 months of quarantine and other restrictions, organizations grapple with deciding if and when it will be safe for employees to return to the workplace. As vaccines are rolled out, organizations must tread a fine line with employees as there is a significant divide in perceptions around the vaccine.
“While there is no doubt COVID-19 vaccines are a welcome advancement in our fight against the pandemic, based on our data, they are neither the sole nor primary factor to employees feeling safe heading back to the office,” said Dr. Brett Wells, Director of People Analytics at Perceptyx.
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Over 1,000 U.S. employees were asked to select the top three mitigation efforts that would help them feel safer in the physical workplace. Mask wearing, social distancing, and frequent cleaning topped the list, with employees being required to be vaccinated ranked fourth.
For organizations hoping to get their employees back to the office in the new year, requiring they get vaccinated may not be the best option. Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed believe employers should require this of their employees, while 43 percent note they would consider leaving their organization if the vaccine was a requirement. Employees are, however, slightly more likely to get vaccinated if their employer encourages them to do so, versus making it a requisite before returning to the office. Whereas 53 percent of employees are likely to get a vaccine if available today, 56 percent would get the vaccine if encouraged to do so by their employer. An even higher number – 60 percent – would take it if their employers offered a monetary incentive of $100 to do so.
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Employees who are most likely to follow through on their organization’s recommendation to get vaccinated are those who have stronger relationships with their managers, who believe their symptoms would be severe if contracted COVID-19, and those who have already been tested for COVID-19.
“Those who feel sincerely cared about by their managers are more likely to trust and be persuaded by their employer’s encouragement to get vaccinated,” continued Dr. Wells. “This is just one more reason why great leadership and investing in the individual and unique needs of employees is critical to an organization’s success(Perceptyx).”