Kroger Taking Away Paid COVID-19 Benefits From Unvaccinated Workers; Unvaxxed Employers Will Also Face Insurance Surcharge

Kroger employees who aren’t vaccinated will face added insurance surcharges and have their paid COVID-19 benefits removed.

On Tuesday, retail company Kroger sent out a company-wide memo announcing a new policy for its workers who have yet to get vaccinated for covid-19. As soon as Jan. 1 hits, unvaccinated salaried, non-union workers will have to pay an additional monthly surcharge of $50, according to a spokeswoman for the company.

The spokeswoman added that the new changes come from the company’s push to encourage workers to get vaccinated. CNBC reports that the company will continue to offer $100 to any worker who gets fully vaccinated.

“As we prepare to navigate the next phase of the pandemic, we are modifying policies to encourage safe behaviors, including vaccination,” said the spokeswoman in a statement.

Kroger has one of the largest employee staffs with about 465,000 workers, according to a regulatory filing from Jan. 31.