Employees in jobs or jabs dilemma

Despite several big businesses leading the way in terms of mandatory vaccinations, smaller business owners from different sectors insist they won’t force their clients to get vaccinated.

Last week Discovery announced it would make it mandatory for all staff to get vaccinated from the start of 2022.

Sasol was another company leading a vaccination mandate. Head of marketing for Planet Fitness Gillian Elson said all members would be welcome, vaccinated or not.

“We do not subscribe to any discrimination whatsoever,” Elson said.

She said the gym would not discriminate against any staff, either. Elson said in line with discussions they had with government, Planet Fitness would offer an incentive to people who have been vaccinated.

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“We plan to launch our incentive around 1 October and have partnered with some of the major vaccine sites. As people get vaccinated, they receive a complimentary voucher to attend any Planet Fitness countrywide,” Elson said.

Marinda Toerien, co-owner of the Boomhuis Restaurant in Krugersdorp, said restaurant owners were subjected to more laws than most.

“We have to abide by liquor laws, trading laws, health laws and many, many other pieces of legislation,” Toerien said.

She said because they were law-abiding citizens they conducted their business within the law, regardless of whether they agreed with it or not.

“Currently, the constitution forbids us from refusing admission to unvaccinated patrons. That would be discrimination, which is strictly forbidden by the constitution,” Toerien said.

Toerien added that if the laws were amended and they were forced to refuse entry to unvaccinated people, they would abide by the law.

“We, the owners, have had vaccinations. We also encourage our staff to get vaccinated because we believe it’s the right thing to do,” she said.

Toerien said their best defence remained constant disinfecting, temperature reading and keeping a register of patrons.

Peet Viljoen, CEO of Tammy Taylor Nails South Africa, said as leaders in the beauty industry, they knew they were expected to set an example.

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Viljoen said that was why Tammy Taylor would at a later stage only let vaccinated people enter their stores.

DJ Rothmann, owner of Blunt Hair Studio in Kempton Park, said he would never chase away a client because they’re not vaccinated.

“But we are all vaccinated in he salon to ensure our salon is a safe place for our clients,” Rothmann said.

Owner of Hollywood Costumes in Krugersdorp Heidi du Toit said after losing her mother-law to Covid, they decided to vaccinate.

She met her staff about vaccinating and only one person objected.

– marizkac@citizen.co.za