Although they were among some of the first groups to qualify for COVID-19 vaccinations in most states, construction workers have been notoriously hesitant to roll up their sleeves and get the shots. Now, as the percentage of Americans yet to receive a first dose remains in the mid 40s — just slightly below the 46% of readers who told Construction Dive in April they had no plans to get the shot — construction companies that want their workers to be vaccinated have their work cut out for them.
As part of San Francisco-based Dome Construction’s “people-first approach,” the company utilized anonymous employee surveys and found that vaccines — everything from their risks and effectiveness to which one to get—were an area of particular importance for team members. In March, Dome and its insurance team hosted a town hall meeting with a medical doctor who answered questions about all aspects of the vaccines. The recorded event was then translated into Spanish and sent out companywide.
“We’re really just trying to let everyone know, we’re here for you and we’re navigating this together,” said Brent Miller, Dome’s director of risk management.
Dome has measured the results of these efforts only in Santa Clara County, which requires companies to ask employees if they’ve been vaccinated. About 77% — well above the national average — have gotten their shots, said Michelle Austin, Dome’s human resource director.
“We’re hearing nothing but positive feedback from our teams,” Austin said.
Read the full article: ‘It’s complicated’: Vaccine hesitancy continues among contractors
