If you work at Kroger and haven’t had your vaccine against COVID-19, you’re going to lose your paid leave eligibility soon.
At this moment, Kroger gives its employees up to 14 days of paid leave in the emergency situation of someone becoming infected with the virus.
The policy was created when vaccines had not yet become available.
Related: Fully vaccinated will probably mean booster in the near future
The company is also going to charge $50 per month for salaried workers and managers that are unvaccinated. This if for employees who collect healthcare through the employer.
This means unvaccinated workers face a $50 per month, or $600 per year. This will happen because they’re choosing to remain unvaccinated.
Related: SCOTUS lets New York health care worker vaccine mandate stand
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Workers that are unionized and workers that are hourly not belonging to a union will not have the $50 fee.
500,000 people work for Kroger in all, 66% of them belonging to a union.
There will still be options should an employee contract the virus. Using earned paid time off and applying for unpaid leave is allowed.
The paid leave outlined by the policy ending soon will only apply to vaccinated employees.
Related: NFL requiring COVID-19 booster shots by Dec. 27
The goal Kroger is trying to accomplish is to keep worker safe while promoting vaccination.
Other companies have been doing the same thing since vaccines became more widely available to the public.
Delta Airlines shared over the summer that employees choosing to not be vaccinated would be charged $200 per month.
Employers could legally fire employees for refusing to get the vaccine. It may be much more difficult to get unemployment benefits if that was your reason.
Related: Should holiday gatherings be scaled back due to COVID-19 surge?
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