Name: Phoenix is paying its employees to get COVID-19 vaccine. Other cities and employers offer incentives, too
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Phoenix is paying its employees to get COVID-19 vaccine. Other cities and employers offer incentives, too

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Arizona RepublicView CommentsCorrection &amp; Clarifications:&nbsp;A previous version of this article misstated the number of Phoenix employees who have had COVID-19.&nbsp;Phoenix is paying its employees $75 if they get vaccinated for COVID-19.Other cities in the Phoenix area&nbsp;— such as Glendale, Peoria and Tempe — are rewarding their employees for receiving the vaccine, as well, either by giving them a discount on their health insurance or giving them wellness points that could add up to a discount on their insurance.Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher said the city created an employee safety awards program that gives employees the money when they show proof that they have received both doses of the vaccine.It's a way to incentivize employees to get the vaccine, Zuercher said, which is important for the health of the employees but also the health of the entire community, since employees "are out with the community every day."&nbsp;The city programs come&nbsp;as they are doing the same.&nbsp;Dollar General, Kroger, McDonald’s and Olive Garden are paying their employees either a flat rate or a certain number hours of pay to get the vaccine.It also comes as many city employees report testing positive for COVID-19. Of the about 13,500 employees who work for Phoenix, 2,612 have had the virus, according to Dan Wilson, the city's communications director. The city's.Public safety employees qualify for the vaccine right now, along with some employees in other departments, Wilson said.Sign-up frustrations: Phoenix's program was initiated by Zuercher.He didn't need the City Council's approval because the city allows the city manager to create safety programs with employee awards of up to $100.Phoenix has used safety programs before to give out awards for safe driving and compliance with occupational health standards, Wilson said.Mayor Kate Gallego's communications director&nbsp;Jeanine L'Ecuyer said the mayor is a strong supporter of the city's wellness programs."This is one of the many reasons the city continues to earn recognition as a strong employer including being the only city listed this week on Forbes' list of America's best large employers," L'Ecuyer said.She said the city has tried to prevent employees from getting the virus in many ways, including:After freezing hiring last year, the city has many vacancies and is using the money already budgeted for those spots to pay for the program, Zuercher said.If all 13,500 employees get vaccinated, the safety program would&nbsp;cost the city about $1 million.So far, about 200 employees have submitted completed vaccination cards to get the award. As of Friday afternoon, 1,444 had received the COVID-19&nbsp;vaccine through a city line at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Wilson said. Other employees could have been vaccinated elsewhere.City Councilmember Jim Waring said he doesn't want to question Zuercher, but he's not sure whether the monetary award is necessary. He said if it came through the council, he's not sure he would have voted for it."I can see both sides of it," Waring said. Other ways Valley cities are rewarding employees for getting&nbsp;the COVID-19 vaccine include:Reach the reporter at or at 602-444-8763. Follow her on Twitter .&nbsp;Support local journalism. Subscribe to today.View Comments

Arizona RepublicView CommentsCorrection &amp; Clarifications:&nbsp;A previous version of this article misstated the number of Phoenix employees who have had COVID-19.&nbsp;Phoenix is paying its employees $75 if they get vaccinated for COVID-19.Other cities in the Phoenix area&nbsp;— such as Glendale, Peoria and Tempe — are rewarding their employees for receiving the vaccine, as well, either by giving them a discount on their health insurance or giving them wellness points that could add up to a discount on their insurance.Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher said the city created an employee...

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Jen Fifield

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Phoenix is paying its employees to get COVID-19 vaccine. Other cities and employers offer incentives, too

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