Delta Air Lines hiking insurance premiums for unvaccinated workers

Monday, 26 Aug, 2021 0

Delta Air Lines is raising the stakes in its bid to get as many workers vaccinated as possible.

It is increasing health care costs for employees who refuse to get jabbed.

From 1 November, unvaccinated staff will have to pay up to $200 a month more for their company health insurance.

Unvaccinated employees will also be subject to weekly Covid tests.

"While we can be proud of our 75% vaccination rate, the aggressiveness of the variant means we need to get many more of our people vaccinated, and as close to 100% as possible," said CEO Ed Bastian in an internal memo

Hospital treatment has been costing Delta $50,000 per person on average it says.

"This surcharge will be necessary to address the financial risk the decision to not vaccinate is creating for our company."

All employee cases requiring treatment so far have been unvaccinated workers.

"This is not just costing lives, this is costing us financial resources as well," Bastain said on CNN.

From 12 September, US employees not fully vaccinated are required to take a weekly Covid test.

"In compliance with state and local laws, Covid pay protection will only be provided to fully vaccinated individuals who are experiencing a breakthrough infection," the memo says, referring to to 14 days of ‘Covid pay protection’ before workers have to use their standard company sick days.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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