Almost Half of U.S. Workers Believe Employers Should Require COVID-19 Vaccines

A national survey of more than 1,000 American workers conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Eagle Hill Consulting found 49% believe employers should require their employees to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

Support for employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccines was strongest among men (53%) compared to women (44%). Younger workers were the most supportive of employer-mandated vaccines (62%), followed by millennials (50%), Generation Xers, and baby boomers (both at 46%).

“With COVID-19 vaccines in reach for workers, there indeed is reason to feel hopeful after a crushing year for families, businesses, and the economy. But the road ahead will be complicated for employers, as our research indicates,” said Melissa Jezior, president and CEO of Eagle Hill Consulting. “The workforce clearly is split on employer vaccine mandates, so it’s going to be contentious no matter where an employer lands on inoculation requirements.”

If employers require additional vaccinations following the initial round of inoculations, only 3% of those surveyed believe employees should shoulder the cost. Instead, 38% of workers believe the federal government should pay for future required vaccinations, 25% believe insurance providers should pay, and 8% believe state and local governments should cover the costs. Also, 54% believe that employers should pay for any COVID-19 testing they require.

The survey also found:

• 53% support an employer requirement for masks in the workplace and 32% support employer encouragement of mask use.
• 40% support an employer requirement and 45% support employer encouragement of social distancing.
• 26% support an employer requirement and 38% percent support employer encouragement of the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• 24% support an employer mandate and 46% percent support employer encouragement of COVID-19 testing
• 44% support an employer mandate and 34% support employer encouragement of temperature checks.