Business leaders have been watching the debate over vaccine mandates closely. There are fears that employees who are unhappy about such a ruling will become disengaged and less productive – or leave.
Leslie Tarnacki, SVP of Global Human Resources at WorkForce Software, said employers must be ready for a backlash.
“Many people feel very strongly about being told what they must or must not do,” she says. “The directors should consider how leaders communicate the health and safety concerns of all their employees while balancing that with hard mandates that may worsen disparities and inequities that already exist.”
As we emerge from the pandemic, it won’t just be existing employees who are questioned about their vaccine status. Any mandate will have an impact on the hiring process, and this could cause tension in sectors where there are significant skill shortages.
Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden said companies with more than 100 workers must ensure their staff are jabbed, or introduce weekly testing. Failure to do so could mean a fine of up to $14,000.
Companies are now being urged to implement robust processes for managing vaccination records and testing so they remain compliant.
There is a risk that the vaccine mandate could become an ethical minefield for employers. The legal implications are still cloudy and the law will vary across the world, creating a headache for global organizations.