Kroger will end COVID-19 benefits for unvaccinated workers

Cincinnati, OH-based Kroger Co. BB #:100073 plans to cut some COVID-19 benefits for unvaccinated workers starting January 1.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which obtained a company memo about the policy, the retailer will no longer provide two weeks of paid emergency leave for employees who contract COVID-19 if they are not vaccinated.

The memo also said the retailer will add a $50 per month surcharge to company health plans for unvaccinated managers and non-union workers.

Kroger has about 500,000 full-time and part-time employees.

The Biden administration, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), issued rules in November that require employers with more than 100 employees to enforce vaccination rules or make unvaccinated workers take weekly COVID-19 tests.

However, the rule has been challenged multiple times in U.S. courts and been blocked, leaving the rules unclear for larger employers.

According to the Associated Press, the Biden administration has not endorsed the Kroger plan.

“We know different private sector companies and entities are going to take different steps to incentivize people to get vaccinated, to keep their employees safe and their workforce safe,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at her media briefing December 14. “It’s not a policy we’re putting out there from the federal government.”

Kroger is one of the country’s largest grocery chains, operating 2,750 stores under a variety of banners.