With the pandemic still ravaging communities and countries, millions across the globe are still hesitant to take the vaccine. Some employers have taken a hard stance by compelling employees to take it. Most business consultants agree that incentivising employees to become inoculated may be more effective than issuing mandates. Here are six ways to encourage your employees to take the vaccine.

1. Dedicate time at your regular staff meetings to sharing information about the COVID-19 vaccines and address concerns. Share educational blog posts about the vaccines in your company newsletter. In addition to including information about the COVID-19 vaccines, share tips about how to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, including social distancing and frequent hand-washing.

2. Provide vaccination incentives or appreciation gifts for employees taking the vaccine. Company goodies, such as water bottles, t-shirts, hoodies or coffee mugs, plus free food or food delivery service gift cards, will drive some to the vaccination lines.

3. Add some fun to your vaccination communications. Host raffles with prizes’, create “I Got Vaccinated” stickers, pins, shirts or mugs, and send them to any employee who wants them, or adopt a hashtag such as #IGotVaccinated and share photos of employees getting vaccinated on social media.

4. If your executive team is respected, involve them at all costs. Ask senior managers to “lead by example” and talk to their team about their experience in getting vaccinated. Have them take pictures and be a part of the “get out and get vaccinated effort”.

5. Add time benefits to the vaccination process. Time off on vaccination day, or paid days off to recover from vaccination side effects (particularly after the second dose), regardless of whether or not they experience any, might help some make up their minds.

6. Make it easy to get to the vaccine appointment. Bussing employees, providing a gas voucher or awarding a mileage allowance might be the nudge employees need to get out and get vaccinated.

• NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.