U.S. Employees Split on Vaccination Mandates

As more American workers receive vaccines protecting them against COVID-19, the debate continues over whether companies should require their employees to be vaccinated. A new survey from New Eagle Hill Consulting found surveyed U.S. workers were almost evenly split on employer-mandated vaccination proof and management of unvaccinated workers.

The national survey of 1,027 random employees across the U.S., conducted by Ipsos from April 7-9, sought to gauge respondents’ opinions on safety protocols for returning to the workplace.

“We’re continuing to see employee concerns and divided views on a wide range of COVID-19 issues, which creates an increasingly complicated situation for employers,” said Melissa Jezior, Eagle Hill Consulting president and CEO.

The survey found that employees have split views on vaccination mandates:

• 49% believe employers should require vaccination proof for those returning to workplace
• 48% agree employers should require vaccines
• 53% believe employers should offer vaccine incentives to their employees.

The survey also found that employees do not agree on how to manage unvaccinated workers:

• 55% say nonvaccinated employees should not be given special allowances to work from home
• 44% say nonvaccinated employees should not be allowed to travel for work
• 39% believe nonvaccinated employees should not be permitted to work in-person with customers
• 35% say nonvaccinated employees should be not allowed to work in-person with co-workers
• 83% believe nonvaccinated employees should be allowed to stay with their employer.

Additionally, employees have mixed views on returning to the workplace, with 45% of survey respondents indicating employers should wait to reopen workplaces as vaccines roll out, up from 42% in February.

Younger workers feel more excited and anxious about returning to the workplace:

• 47% of Generation Z and 30% of millennials are excited, compared to 26% of Generation X and 15% of baby boomers
• 28% of Gen Z and 26% of millennials are concerned, compared to 23% of Gen X and 14% of baby boomers
• 25% of Gen Z and 20% of Millennials are anxious compared to 13% of Gen X and 12% of baby boomers.

Most surveyed workers want their employers to play an active role in workplace COVID-19 safety protocols:

• 84% agree employers should require or encourage social distancing
• 81% agree on employers requiring or encouraging mask use
• 74% say employers should encourage or require temperature checks
• 62% agree employers should encourage or require personal protective equipment at work
• 64% agree to receive regular COVID-19 testing, and 57% support employers requiring or encouraging testing.