Pinellas Commissioners To Give Employees $750 To Be Vaccinated

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — If you're a Pinellas County employee who's been vaccinated for COVID-19, it's your lucky day. You'll be getting an extra $750 in your paycheck.

On Tuesday, the Pinellas County Commission approved spending up to $4 million in American Rescue Plan coronavirus recovery funds to dole out $750 to every employee who has been or will be vaccinated.

County Administrator Barry Burton recommended the bonus to encourage employees to get vaccinated and decrease employee absenteeism.

“I’ve talked to our constitutional officers, I’ve talked to the sheriff, and it’s our last best effort to increase our vaccination rates,” Burton said.

The bonus is $250 more than Hillsborough and Pasco counties are giving employees, although Hillsborough County employees will receive two extra days off in addition to their $500 bonus.

Burton emphasized that the bonus isn't a mandate. “This would be an encouragement for those employees who are on the fence about getting the vaccination," he said.

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During the rise in coronavirus cases in August and September due to the introduction of the delta variant of the virus, Burton noted that so many employees were unable to work due to isolation and quarantine some county operations were nearly brought to a standstill.

In recent weeks as more people get vaccinated, Burton said the county has seen a major decrease in employee absenteeism.

"It is having an impact," he said. "We’re seeing a higher level of employees getting vaccinated."

After the county announced it was considering a bonus for vaccinated employees, Burton said there's been a 5 percent increase in employee vaccinations in recent weeks "and I think the sheriff's office has seen even more."

The $750 bonus was approved 5-2.

Commission chairman Dave Eggers said he is opposed to giving bonuses to employees for several reasons.

He noted that about 60 percent of those who will receive the bonuses have already been vaccinated without an incentive, and he's concerned that the incentive will prompt some people to go against their personal objections to vaccinations simply because they need the extra money.