September 7, 2021, 2 minutes read
American Airlines is the latest airline that offers Covid-19 vaccination incentives to employees through leveraging benefits.
Fox Business reported that the company sent a memo to employees last week stating that pandemic leave would only be granted to those who have been fully vaccinated and provided their vaccination card after the Fodd and Drug Administrations approval of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.
This means that any employee not vaccinated who is unable to work due to the virus will have to take earned sick days or medical leaves starting Oct. 1.
Related: American Airlines Cancels Hundreds of Flights Because Of Staffing Shortages
Staff members who are not vaccinated have enough time to receive both the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine before the October deadline. These shots must be taken at least two weeks apart.
Fox Business received a memo that stated, "We have heard many team members say that the FDA has approved the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. This gives them added peace of mind after they were previously reluctant to get vaccinated."
Delta Airlines announced last month that employees who are not vaccinated will be subject to penalties including a $200 per month fee.
Beginning Sept. 12, American workers who have not been vaccinated will need to submit to a weekly Covid test, provided that the community case rates remain high. Anybody who has a positive test result will be asked to stay at home and isolate themselves.
For any employee not vaccinated who is enrolled in Deltas account-based health plan, the surcharge will take effect on Nov. 1.
According to the company, such a charge was necessary in order to cover the financial risk that Delta's decision to not vacate is creating. This is due to the fact that an average Covid-19 hospital stay costs Delta $50,000.
