Michael Cole, executive director of Community Options Inc., believes in keeping his employees and clients safe during this seemingly never-ending pandemic. Community Options Inc. is an organization that helps individuals with disabilities maintain an equitable standard of living.
It has offered an incentive for employees to get vaccinated — via a $500 bonus. All current employees are eligible and employees hired before Oct. 1.
“As of Sept. 9 our records show triple the number of staff who are vaccinated since we announced the incentive,” Cole said.
Community Options Inc., with an office at 2000 Grant Ave., held a vaccine drive recently and is in the process of possibly organizing another, as another way to help employees get vaccinated.
Employees have to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 30 to be eligible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose, or two weeks after a one-dose vaccine.
“We’re incentivizing it, letting our staff know that we care about your health and safety,” Cole said. “We’re going to give you a bonus if you go and get vaccinated because it’s more than worth it to us, and more than worth it for our individuals and staff.” ••