At the start of the new year, Kroger Co will be eliminating some COVID-19 benefits for unvaccinated employees, the One America News Network reported.
The supermarket chain has been pushing more workers to get the jab amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant.
The chain will no longer provide unpaid COVID-19 leave for unvaccinated employees and are adding a $50 monthly health insurance surcharge to salaried non-union workers who are unvaccinated and enrolled in the company healthcare plan, a spokesperson said.
Kroger is among the biggest private employers in the United States, with 465,000 full and part-time workers.
“As we prepare to navigate the next phase of the pandemic, we are modifying policies to encourage safe behaviors including vaccination,” the spokesperson said.
The push to get more employees vaccinated comes in the midst of setbacks for a nationwide mandate.
Concerns over the new Omicron variant could cause a jump in crowds at Kroger stores in the coming weeks as consumers look to stock up on goods and household essentials, analysts have said.
Kroger is encouraging shoppers “to only buy what they need,” the company said earlier this month.
Reception of this announcement has been mixed:
Makes sense. If someone chooses not to lower their risk of developing symptoms, when they have that option, then why should the company pay when they get sick?
— The Morning Avocado (@AvocadoMorning) December 14, 2021
I have a friend with an autoimmune disease which dramatically increases her vaccination risk.
She has already had covid and has natural immunity.
She is scheduled to be fired on January 5th.
This @kroger decision sux.
— Rob Donohoe (@RobDonwow) December 14, 2021
hard to tell if Kroger is worse to customers or to employees
— Bitter Actor (@_Bitter_Actor) December 14, 2021
This is not going to go how they think it is for them. It will actually be counter productive whereas people will just stay home if they feel bad but won’t get tested for fear of losing pay.
— Don’t Tread On Me (@PolyandS) December 14, 2021
