Target Offers Employees Pay, Transportation To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Target is encouraging its employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine by offering two hours of pay for each vaccine dose, as well as a free Lyft ride to a vaccination location.

“As more vaccines become available, especially for frontline and essential workers, we’ll help our team members across the country get the information and access they need. As we have for the past year, we’ll continue to invest in our team’s pay and benefits so they can take care of themselves, each other and our guests,” Melissa Kremer, chief human resources officer for Target, said in a blog post on Wednesday (Feb. 10).

Although getting vaccinated will not be a requirement to come to work, Target is hoping it will be able to vaccinate employees at one of the 1,700 CVS pharmacies located within Target stores. The retail giant has more than 350,000 part-time and full-time workers.

Once vaccines are available to the public, CVS will evaluate the in-store locations and determine where vaccines can be given to employees and non-employees in the future. Since the availability of vaccines is limited and eligibility varies by state, Target is telling employees to monitor the CDC website for the most up-to-date information. 

“We’re encouraging team members, once they’re eligible, to get the vaccine where and how they can — whether that’s through their local pharmacy, clinic, healthcare provider or a state or city-run event,” according to the blog post. 

Last month, Target gave frontline team members a fifth bonus, on top of their $15 starting wage. The company also extended coronavirus benefits and continues to ensure that store locations stay clean and safe. 

Target is just the latest merchant to offer payment to employees to get vaccinated. Trader Joe’s, Dollar General and Instacart announced in January that they would pay workers to get vaccinated, although all of the retailers said inoculations were not mandatory.

Kroger said on Monday (Feb. 8) that it would give employees a single $100 payment to get the coronavirus vaccine. The supermarket chain also awarded employees 1,000 fuel points and a $100 store credit. The Tractor Supply Company also announced that it would pay its workers a single $50 payment to get vaccinated and would give them any needed time off.