Better Business: Are vaccine mandates the best way forward?

FRI, AUG 06, 2021

TECH, TRANSFORMATION AND THE FUTURE OF WORK

EDITOR'S NOTE

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Read on for more on the latest jobs numbers, the Great Resignation, mandated vaccines, and the right to disconnect...

FALL PLANS IN FLUX

As we close out the first week of August, we're looking at a strong jobs report tempered by Covid-driven uncertainty and inflationary pressures; the war for talent heating up with Walmart and Target going all-in on big education deals; and why behavior guru Dan Ariely says we'll eventually be back in the office more than you think... scroll down for more on each of these stories.

Of course, the biggest headline we're all watching is the toll the delta variant is taking across the country and around the world. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, a vast number of US employers' plans for early fall return-to-work seemed all but certain. Now, as cases and hospitalizations rise, the spotlight again returns to concerns around when companies can safely bring workers back to the workplaces they left over a year ago. With major employers including Apple, Alphabet, Uber, and Lift delaying return-to-office dates, and Amazon hitting pause until January 2022, it's hard to think others won't soon follow suit. For at least the moment, however, not all plans for an office return are being upended just yet. Read more on responses from top human resource executives in this new CNBC flash survey.

But if that's the 'when', the other critical part of the equation is the 'how', and the debate over whether businesses should impose vaccine mandates sits at the center of this conversation. Even as Americans remain sharply divided on the issue, a growing chorus of companies are telling workers to get the vaccine if they want to come back to work. And some say a vaccine mandate may just be good business. Read more in this op-ed from our sister network MSNBC.

We want to hear what you think: Should companies require employees to get the Covid-19 vaccine? Vote here and we'll share the results next month.

Until then, stay safe, stay healthy and stay in touch.