Report: Surge in organizations that require worker vaccinations is coming

The number of U.S. employers requiring workers to get vaccinated is expected to surge over the next several months, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. At the same time, organizations will be experimenting with financial incentives to encourage employees to get vaccinated, and expanding testing requirements as they move to reopen worksites.

By the fourth quarter of this year, 52% of employers could have one or more vaccine mandate requirements in their workplaces, the survey findings indicate. That represents a dramatic increase from the current 21%. Mandates could include allowing only vaccinated employees to access common areas such as cafeterias, or requiring vaccination as a blanket policy.

A total of 961 U.S. employers participated in the survey, which was conducted between August 18 and 25, 2021. Respondents employ 9.7 million workers. 

In addition, nearly a third (29%) of employers are planning or considering making vaccination a requirement to gain access to the workplace, and almost a quarter (21%) are planning or considering vaccination as a condition of employment for all employees.