More than a third of unvaccinated workers say they would quit their jobs if their employer implemented the mandate for a COVID-19 vaccine with the option to be tested weekly instead, according to a new report. Thursday chest scan by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The survey found that about 37 percent of unvaccinated workers, representing nearly 5 percent of all adults in the United States, said they would quit their job rather than comply.
When the weekly testing option is rescinded, 72 percent of unvaccinated workers said they would leave their jobs before complying with an employer-issued authorization, according to the survey.
The survey found that despite outspoken opposition to such mandates, only a small percentage of workers actually left their jobs due to employee mandates already in place.
About a quarter of workers surveyed by the KFF in October said their company had issued a vaccine mandate, up from just 9 percent in June and 19 percent in September.
However, only 5 percent of unvaccinated workers, or 1 percent of all adults, say they have quit as a result of COVID-19 vaccine requirements, according to the KFF.
The survey, of 1,519 people 18 and older in the United States and conducted from October 18 to October 24, asked only whether people had quit because of the vaccine mandate, but not whether they had done so with the vaccination demand that came With test option.
Last month, President Joe Biden announced a sweeping order for companies with 100 or more employees to require their workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested weekly.
The mandate is still under review as federal agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration establish legal requirements for its implementation. It is expected to affect most workers in the state.
The most targeted order, which applies to federal employees and government contractors, including airlines, defense manufacturers and some shipping companies, requires these companies to ensure their workers are vaccinated by December 8.
This demand has faced growing opposition from Republican politicians and powerful trade associations, who say the order will further damage an already faltering global supply chain leading to higher prices and a shortage in US pockets.
Various working groups have noted that questions remain about the specifics of the requirement, such as whether some workers will be exempt from it, what qualifies as an acceptable testing program and how vaccination documents should be collected.
The National Retail Federation has asked the White House for a 90-day implementation period after answering these questions so that its members can formulate the details of their vaccination requirements.
American truck associations, which met with the White House Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday, warned management last week that many drivers are likely to quit rather than get vaccinated.
The association estimated that trucking companies covered by the mandate could lose about 37 percent of drivers through retirements, resignations and shift workers to smaller companies not covered by the vaccine mandate.
Other groups, including the Association of Retail Industry Leaders and the powerful National Association of Manufacturers, have also expressed concern about the timing of the mandate.
The CEO of Raytheon, a group that makes jet engines, missiles and drones, added Tuesday that the mandate could further complicate a global supply chain, which is already struggling to keep up with demands.
“We certainly expect some disruption to both the supply chain and our customers as a result,” Raytheon CEO Gregory Hayes warned Tuesday. “But we’ll make our way through it.”
“It is difficult to get materials in the door on time. We are also, of course, seeing a shortage of labor in our supply chain, which is also slowing down inputs.”
“I think this will be an ongoing problem next year. And perhaps mandating a vaccine won’t help with that.”
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