Dentaltown March 2021 - 50

SPECIAL SECTION

Bonus for Getting Vaccinated
Instead of forcing staffers to get their shots, would a cash incentive work better?

markshek
Member Since: 12/13/01
Post: 1 of 20

A thought I had this morning: I won't (and feel I can't) demand my staff to get vaccinated.
Two have already had COVID so they are, at least for the time, being more " safe. "
I want them to get vaccinated because it would be a pain to have to inform patients that
their hygienist or chairside assistant exposed them to COVID. I am thinking of offering a $500
incentive to get vaccinated. Thoughts on this? I think this amount is enough motivation, but I
could be wrong. I would consider more. ■
1/10/2021

drtommymurph
Member Since: 04/05/02
Post: 2 of 20

I think it is a bad idea: Money motivates people, but money is a short-term motivation and
always corrupts.
I have a different approach: Perhaps you are younger and don't remember the days before
everyone had the Hep B vaccine. We could hire staff or have staff who didn't take the vaccine.
Same today.
I didn't bribe them. Instead, I didn't hire anyone who hadn't had the vaccine. I'll do the same
this time. For current employees, make it a job requirement to have the vaccine by April 1. If not,
then you will accept their resignation.
Much like wearing a mask and safety glasses, arriving to work on time, not clocking out at
5 p.m. if a patient is in the chair, etc., it is a job requirement.
My managerial style is different from yours-some will say better, others worse, I don't care.
We all have to decide for ourselves.
Good luck, whatever you decide. ■
1/10/2021

Couver
Member Since: 05/05/14
Post: 5 of 20

I have some employees who went and got it with me recently. I gave them $200 cash each for
the hassle of going after work to get vaccinated. When they get the second dose, I plan to give
them $300 more. It's not a bribe and they never knew about it ahead of time. I think word will
get out to those who don't get it, and maybe they will reconsider. Especially once they realize
that we didn't die from getting the vaccine.
Speaking as a person with two employees currently out due to COVID exposure (the two
that don't want the vaccine), you want to do whatever you legally can to get employees vaccinated. It is such a pain to be without two employees but for them to still get paid. It's basically
become a government-mandated quarantine vacation.
If these two employees don't get the vaccine in the next month or so, I will re-evaluate their
long-term potential at my office. COVID is not going away quickly and I am unwilling to
accommodate avoidable disruptions just because of " muh freedoms. " They have already gotten
every vaccine available to them in the past, yet a vaccine that makes some spike protein is scary
when compared to getting a live attenuated virus from another vaccine. End of rant. ■
1/10/2021

jcr87
Member Since: 04/04/06
Post: 6 of 20

Honest question: Can an employee be forced to get a vaccine, either as a condition for hire or
a grounds for termination if they don't? I thought you couldn't do that, but I could be wrong. ■
1/10/2021

MARCH 2021 // dentaltown.com

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Dentaltown March 2021

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