Aldi has become the last company to offer its employees a payment incentive to obtain the Covid-19 vaccine.
In a press release on Tuesday, the supermarket chain said it would give hourly workers two hours of pay for each dose they received, totaling up to four hours. They will also work with salaried employees who wish to receive the vaccine.
“The company is working closely with state and local authorities across the U.S. to ensure that frontline workers continue to be prioritized, and today Aldi has unveiled its plan to support employees,” said the supermarket chain.
“Aldi is ensuring that all hourly workers who want to receive the vaccine can do so without worrying about losing wages or taking time off from work.”
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The chain has more than 2,000 stores in 36 states and employs more than 25,000 people.
In addition, Aldi said it will cover all costs associated with administering the vaccine and is exploring the possibility of on-site vaccination clinics in its warehouses and offices to make it easier for workers to obtain the vaccine.
“Offering accommodations so that employees can receive this critical vaccine is yet another way to support them and eliminate the need to choose between earning their wages and protecting their well-being,” said Aldi US CEO Jason Hart in a statement.
Last week, three other companies announced similar plans. Dollar General said it would give its hourly staff members a one-time payment of four hours of regular pay after receiving both doses of the vaccine. Salaried workers would receive “additional hours of work in the store to accommodate their time outside the store,” the store said.
In addition to giving workers two hours of pay per dose of vaccine, Trader Joe’s said it plans to change schedules to ensure employees have time to be vaccinated.
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As of February 1, Instacart’s shift leaders, in-store customers and full-service customers in the US and Canada will receive financial assistance in the form of a $ 25 grant after being vaccinated.
“In addition to the Vaccine Support Scholarship, the company is also redistributing free personal protective equipment (PPE) to any customer who needs it during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the grocery delivery and collection service.
The Food and Drug Administration has already approved two vaccines, from Moderna and Pfizer, for emergency use. Both require two injections at intervals of weeks.
On January 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 1.6 million people were fully vaccinated.
