Written by: Max Loong

A recent article from Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that companies in Singapore are implementing support initiatives for their employees taking the vaccination, along with the side effects that they may suffer going through it.

Since June 11, Singaporeans aged 12-39 are eligible to register for vaccinations. People in this group takes up a significant demographic of 1.5 million people.

Beyond giving time off to employees getting vaccinated, some companies are introducing other support initiatives.

Here is what some companies are doing:

Singtel

At Singtel, employees are entitled to sick leave on the day of vaccination. They can also work from home for a week if they feel unwell.

Employees are also covered under the company’s insurance plan, which contributes to the cost of medical expenses for any sickness or disability resulting from the vaccination. Singtel also hosted a Q&A session with an infectious disease expert to clarify any doubts staff members may have about the vaccine.

More than 90 per cent of Singtel employees in frontline roles, such as retail staff and field engineers, are fully vaccinated.

OCBC

At OCBC Bank, employees taking the vaccine are given a day off for each appointment, as well as private taxi reimbursement to and from the vaccination centres.

If they experience side effects, they may take an additional two days of medical leave without needing to provide a medical certificate. The company will reimburse any medical consultation fees as well.

UOB

Similarly, at UOB, those who suffer side effects can tap on the company's appointed panel of clinics for free medical consultation. They also have life and health insurance that covers COVID-19 infection and vaccination side effects.

NTUC FairPrice

As most employees are frontline workers at NTUC FairPrice, their employees were given priority for vaccination earlier this year.

FairPrice encourages all staff to be vaccinated, and to relieve any concerns as well as to address queries, they invited medical experts to conduct online talks so that staff are better informed on the benefits of vaccination.

Their leadership team also seeks to motivate staff by serving as an example and went for the vaccination when it was their turn.

Reeracoen Singapore

At Reeracoen Singapore, staff were also encouraged to go for vaccinations whenever available to them. If employees wish to take the vaccine, they are not required to take any leave on that day.

Employees are also advised to have ample rest and stop working if they don't feel well after vaccination.

We hope that other companies will follow suit to provide flexibility and support their employees who want to vaccinate themselves. Let’s make our workplace a safer place to be in!

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