Survey: Majority of small business owners favor vaccination; campaign urges engaging employees
BUSINESS RECORD STAFF Apr 7, 2021 | 3:39 pm
2 min read time
408 wordsAll Latest News, Economic Development, Health and WellnessA national survey of more than 3,300 small employers shows strong support for ensuring workers get vaccinated. The survey is part of a public awareness campaign led by Reimagine Main Street, a project of Public Private Strategies, a Washington, D.C.-based public policy group.
The survey was conducted in partnership with the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, the US Black Chambers Inc. and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The survey results provide insights into how small business owners view the vaccines and their plans for themselves and their workers. Other business organizations, including the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women Business Owners, and Women Impacting Public Policy, are stepping up to engage their members.
Among the key findings:
• 63% of small employers intend to encourage their employees to get vaccinated.
• Nearly half (45%) of small employers plan to give workers paid time off to get vaccinated.
• More than 80% of small employers report having conversations with employees about vaccines, and a majority (55%) say they would use free or low-cost resources to provide guidance and information about COVID-19 vaccines.
“Small businesses like mine have struggled during this pandemic, but the vaccine shows us that the end is in sight,” said Shaundell Newsome, founder of Sumnu Marketing and chairman of the Urban Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas, who moderated a webinar launching the campaign. “I have implemented a vaccine plan for my employees, and all business owners should do the same so we can make it through COVID-19 as quickly as possible.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 70% and 85% of Americans need to receive the vaccine to achieve herd immunity. Once that happens, small businesses will be able to get back to business at full capacity and the economy and communities can completely reopen, the organization said.
“The survey findings demonstrate that small business owners recognize the importance of the vaccines in reopening Main Street,” said Rhett Buttle, founder and principal of Public Private Strategies. “By championing the vaccine with the employees and in their communities, small employers can help fully reopen the economy as quickly as possible.”
The campaign also calls on employers to sign a pledge to be a Small Business Vaccine Leader, which more than 400 small business owners have already signed.
More details on the survey results can be found on the Reimagine Main Street website.