[Philippines] Employers reluctant to make vaccination mandatory

A survey has revealed that just two per cent of employers in the Philippines are prepared to require their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, primarily because of concerns about the safety of vaccines, Manila Times reports.

The results of the Mercer survey - conducted in February - showed that one in four employers will provide time off for their workers to get vaccinated and more than half will encourage employees to get vaccinated. However, only 17 per cent will "strongly encourage."

The government has started vaccinating those on the economic front lines and workers in essential sectors.

However, the Mercer survey showed that employers are not considering making vaccination mandatory for their workers. 68 per cent of respondents admitted that they are not even considering it. When asked for reasons, the top two given were vaccine safety (68 per cent) and compliance with employment, labour and human rights legislation (54 per cent).

Almost half (41 per cent) of those polled cited concerns on potential liability if an employee should have a bad reaction to the vaccine.

Only 2 per cent of the respondents said they would provide incentives in the form of cash, gift cards or spending accounts to encourage employees to get vaccinated.

Teng Alday - Mercer's chief executive officer for the Philippines - said the survey results were not surprising.

"Given that the major issues surrounding the vaccination roll-out are vaccine safety and human rights legislation, it's not surprising that most respondents opted not to offer any form of incentive to respect their employees' personal decision," Ms Alday explained.

However, she said, employers also play a crucial role in providing the right information to employees.

"The decision to receive the vaccine ultimately boils down to trust. And employers play a critical role in educating and sharing accurate information with employees, including facts about the benefits of the vaccines, company policies and insurance coverage. Communication will be vital in helping employees decide whether to get the shot." 

According to the survey, two-thirds of respondents said they have or are developing communications plans. More than half of respondents will encourage employees to get vaccinated and almost half said they will provide information. 29 per cent said they intended to share leadership vaccine experiences to help overcome hesitancy.

"It's heartening to note that employers are actively communicating the benefits of the vaccine (93 per cent), details about the access (76 per cent) in addition to company policies (66 per cent). However, less than half (47 per cent) say they are sharing details about insurance coverage or reimbursement.

"This could be due in part to a lack of clarity or information at the moment but is absolutely critical information that employees need to know, be it details on claims or benefits with respect to the COVID-19 vaccination or its potential effects," Ms Alday said.

A quarter of survey respondents said they have formed a steering committee or task force to help guide vaccine-related policies.

Managing a segmented workforce - some who have been vaccinated and some who have not - was also a concern for 41 per cent of respondents. Some said they will enact business travel policies that differentiate between employees who have been vaccinated and those who have not.

"Businesses have an obligation to provide a healthy and safe workplace, and each company has its own set of risks and responsibilities. Employers and employees should work together to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be made based on job function and whether there is flexibility that would make vaccination less critical. 

“What's vital is that employers set appropriate expectations about returning to the office and the need for precautions and safe practices like wearing masks and social distancing. Even as the number of individuals being vaccinated increases, various forms of public health restrictions will still be in place until we see herd immunity in our communities," Ms Alday said.

A survey has revealed that just two per cent of employers in the Philippines are prepared to require their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, primarily because of concerns about the safety of vaccines, Manila Times reports.

The results of the Mercer survey - conducted in February - showed that one in four employers will provide time off for their workers to get vaccinated and more than half will encourage employees to get vaccinated. However, only 17 per cent will "strongly encourage."

The government has started vaccinating those on the economic front lines and workers in essential sectors.

However, the Mercer survey showed that employers are not considering making vaccination mandatory for their workers. 68 per cent of respondents admitted that they are not even considering it. When asked for reasons, the top two given were vaccine safety (68 per cent) and compliance with employment, labour and human rights legislation (54 per cent).

Almost half (41 per cent) of those polled cited concerns on potential liability if an employee should have a bad reaction to the vaccine.

Only 2 per cent of the respondents said they would provide incentives in the form of cash, gift cards or spending accounts to encourage employees to get vaccinated.

Teng Alday - Mercer's chief executive officer for the Philippines - said the survey results were not surprising.

"Given that the major issues surrounding the vaccination roll-out are vaccine safety and human rights legislation, it's not surprising that most respondents opted not to offer any form of incentive to respect their employees' personal decision," Ms Alday explained.

However, she said, employers also play a crucial role in providing the right information to employees.

"The decision to receive the vaccine ultimately boils down to trust. And employers play a critical role in educating and sharing accurate information with employees, including facts about the benefits of the vaccines, company policies and insurance coverage. Communication will be vital in helping employees decide whether to get the shot." 

According to the survey, two-thirds of respondents said they have or are developing communications plans. More than half of respondents will encourage employees to get vaccinated and almost half said they will provide information. 29 per cent said they intended to share leadership vaccine experiences to help overcome hesitancy.

"It's heartening to note that employers are actively communicating the benefits of the vaccine (93 per cent), details about the access (76 per cent) in addition to company policies (66 per cent). However, less than half (47 per cent) say they are sharing details about insurance coverage or reimbursement.

"This could be due in part to a lack of clarity or information at the moment but is absolutely critical information that employees need to know, be it details on claims or benefits with respect to the COVID-19 vaccination or its potential effects," Ms Alday said.

A quarter of survey respondents said they have formed a steering committee or task force to help guide vaccine-related policies.

Managing a segmented workforce - some who have been vaccinated and some who have not - was also a concern for 41 per cent of respondents. Some said they will enact business travel policies that differentiate between employees who have been vaccinated and those who have not.

"Businesses have an obligation to provide a healthy and safe workplace, and each company has its own set of risks and responsibilities. Employers and employees should work together to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be made based on job function and whether there is flexibility that would make vaccination less critical. 

“What's vital is that employers set appropriate expectations about returning to the office and the need for precautions and safe practices like wearing masks and social distancing. Even as the number of individuals being vaccinated increases, various forms of public health restrictions will still be in place until we see herd immunity in our communities," Ms Alday said.