What to Do When Your Workforce Is Divided Over the COVID-19 Vaccine

As the global pandemic continues to change the way Americans live and work, immunization programs are rolling out across the country to slow the spread of the virus. While the CDC and state governments strategize the timeline of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, many workers across the country are experiencing anxiety and uncertainty about receiving the shot.

Experiencing Divide Over the Coronavirus Vaccine

According to a pulse survey of nearly 1,500 people conducted by eMindful in late January, 37 percent of respondents reported having mixed emotions over the COVID-19 vaccine. Of the total responses, 75 percent were optimistic while 25 percent were concerned. 

With the CDC now urging companies to make the COVID-19 vaccine part of their workplace wellness program, this variation in emotional responses can make it challenging for companies to address the concerns of its workers while also encouraging health and safety protocols. To help leaders guide their workforce through this stage of the pandemic, eMindful recommends the following strategies.

How Mindfulness Can Help Workers Navigate Vaccine Anxiety

Create a culture of mindfulness. Creating a culture of mindfulness in the workplace fosters an environment of openness where workers are encouraged to bring awareness to how they’re feeling and to openly express concerns. 

Make mindful leadership a must. Mindful leadership has emerged as an essential strategy to guide organizations through the pandemic. Mindfulness helps leaders develop the competencies they need to lead effectively and with courage and compassion no matter what challenges the pandemic presents. 

Turn to reliable resources. With so many different opinions and information floating around the Internet, providing toolkits and other resources from the CDC ensures that your workers receive their vaccine information from a reliable source.

Create an open door policy for vaccine concerns. Even with mindfulness tools and educational resources, questions may arise about the vaccination. Having an open door policy, so workers feel comfortable discussing the subject and expressing ongoing concerns not only helps employees feel heard, but also strengthens trust at all levels of the organization.

With so many emotions around the COVID-19 shot, implementing vaccination strategies can be challenging. Using mindfulness programs and other mental health tools along with providing educational resources from trusted sources and allowing your workforce to talk openly about the vaccine can help your company move forward together.

Written by Becky Greiner