In an open letter published today, News Corp Australasia’s executive chairman Michael Miller called on all businesses and corporate leaders to “champion the vaccination roll out and participate in it every way we can” in order to get the country “back to full operations”.“We have to urgently rediscover our Australian sense of purpose and unity and show the world what a fully vaccinated, fully functioning nation can achieve,” Mr Miller writes in his letter.“People who have already endured so much disruption and upheaval do not deserve to be kept in a state of isolation and uncertainty without a clear path forward.”Mr Miller warned the country was “falling behind” after its initial successful response to the Covid-19 pandemic.“In every sense of the phrase, currently, Australia is not working,” he stated.“I’m asking state and national leaders to agree on, and be fully committed to, national targets and a national timetable for when we can achieve a vaccination level that will allow all Australians to plan for life in a new normal state of affairs.”Mr Miller told Ray Hadley’s 2GB radio program on Friday that businesses and communities are hurting because of the uncertainty around Covid-19, as well as hurting economically.He encouraged Australian businesses to follow the example of other countries.“We are seeing around the world companies are wanting their staff to be vaccinated to ensure the work places people operate in are virus free and safe to come back to offices.“Returning to offices is really important to culture, to collaboration, to other forms of purpose, to creativity and for business we see the most effective partnerships formed when people are together.”“We can do better when we can operate in the most effective manner that is often – opening up retail, small businesses.”Hadley asked Mr Miller said if he was surprised at the numbers of people still thinking about protesting at an antivax event on Saturday.“I do believe Australians need to have choice but I am surprised that their choice is that they are not always putting their own health first and more importantly the health of others,” Mr Miller said.NED-4292-Percentage-of-eligible-population-fully-vaccinated-by-stateMr Miller’s letter comes amid increasing moves from the corporate sector to drive up Covid-19 vaccinations.On Monday, Telstra announced it would be offering all fully vaccinated employees vouchers worth $200, and on Wednesday, Qantas said it would mandate jabs for all frontline staff by November.Virgin Australia will stage a competition with one million Velocity Frequent Flyer points up for grabs for vaccinated customers, while National Australia Bank has taken a different approach, guaranteeing jabs for people in neighbouring countries for every staff member who gets vaccinated.Business experts say companies stand to benefit in multiple ways from a vaccinated workforce, including increased staff productivity and morale, an enhanced reputation for corporate social responsibility and a better bottom line.Jennifer Westacott, the chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, which represents the leaders of Australia’s largest employers, said: “Business is stepping up and will step up further as more vaccine supplies become available over the coming weeks”.“We saw the incredible effort over the weekend in Sydney where employers worked with the government to get thousands and thousands of workers in key industries vaccinated,” Ms Westacott said.“As more supply comes online, business will pull out all stops.”NED-4166-Vaccination-by-percentage-of-age-bracketDamian Kelly, spokesman for Business NSW, the state’s peak business advocacy group, concurred.“The only consensus is we need to get our rates up. Anything a business can do is welcome, whether that’s cash, vouchers, or incentives that are particular to a certain industry,” he said.“The quicker we get our rates up, the quicker we can reopen.”The quicker return to workplaces would increase staff morale and productivity, Mr Switzer said.“We’re all Zoomed out,” he said. “We’re missing a whole lot of subtle productivity inputs that only come about when we’re together.”While big corporates such as Telstra and the banks were spending up to encourage vaccinations, small businesses could also find ways to incentivise their workers by promising future bonuses or time off, Mr Switzer said.Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said “every lever” should be pulled to get people vaccinated, and incentives were a great way to help achieve this.“The best incentive, however, will always be for employers to provide support to team members with personal leave to have the jab and time to recover, if necessary,” he said.He echoed Ms Westacott’s concerns about supply, but said recent lockdowns and growing case numbers were already providing a powerful incentive.“The retail industry remains strong and united to support the vaccination of Australians in any way it can,” Mr Zahra said.Vaccine LocatorAnnouncing Qantas’s new policy to mandate the jab for employees on Wednesday, CEO Alan Joyce said: “Vaccinations are the only way to break the cycle of lockdowns.”The airline was also talking to its suppliers and contractors about their own policies, he said. Business commentator Peter Switzer said Australia’s vaccination rate had become the country’s primary economic indicator, and employers should be encouraging their staff to get the jabs.But the things that would encourage workers to get vaccinated would vary, he said.“The one thing I know about really successful business leaders is that they are great listeners,” Mr Switzer said. “Business owners should go to their employees and say ‘What is it you need from me to get vaccinated?’ Different priorities will be driving different employees.”One Big Switch has launched a new website, BigVaxBonus.com, showcasing all the special rewards, discounts and savings that Australian businesses are now offering to vaccinated Australians.Company CEO Lachlan Harris congratulated News Corp on taking the initiative, saying One Big Switch was “fully committed to a campaign to reward Australians who have made the effort to go out and get vaccinated against Covid-19”.“Like many businesses, we believe the sooner most Australians get vaccinated, the sooner the country can open up, and life can start getting back to normal again,” he said.“Anything the business community can do to help incentivise people to get vaccinated is a good thing, and money well spent.”Share your plans at calltoarms@news.com.au
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