Although workplaces can apply for collective vaccination, large retail chains do not use this option. Instead, employees are encouraged to vaccinate individually. Some retail chains allow their employees to get the vaccine during working hours, but they still do not give a full and paid day-off to cashiers, salespeople and other employees on the day of receiving the vaccine.
Despite the fact that those working in large grocery stores are in contact with thousands of people every day, according to the vaccination plan developed by the Ministry of Health and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, sales staff were included only in the 8th priority vaccination group. For comparison - critical employees of the Saeima, the Bank of Latvia and other state institutions were included in group 5. However, in the end, the trade workers did not get to take advantage of the priority groups either, as the Cabinet of Ministers decided to vaccinate everyone who wants it from May 3, including the 7th and 8th priority groups.
Maxima Latvija, which employs more than 7,700 people throughout Latvia, motivates employees to go get vaccinated by themselves, because they believe that this way of getting vaccinated is more convenient for employees and it is possible to receive the vaccine faster.
“The Ministry of Health has done a tremendous job of providing more than 800 vaccination points throughout Latvia to make vaccines available to all residents. To register for the vaccine, you need to take a few convenient and simple steps electronically or over the phone to get the vaccine in a convenient place in the near future. A large number of our colleagues have already used it, and we urge others to receive their vaccine by registering at www.manavakcina.lv or by calling 8989,” Liene Dupate-Ugule, Communications Manager of Maxima Latvija, said to Neatkarīgā.
At the same time, with the mass vaccination of the population against Covid-19 and the availability of vaccines, Maxima Latvija, as the largest private employer in Latvia and with a wide range of communication channels, has launched an information campaign on vaccination to explain and encourage employees and the public to vaccinate against Covid-19. The campaign is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control and other experts, and its main goal is to further encourage voluntary vaccination to protect yourself, your family members and others as much as possible.
"Employee and customer safety is our priority. Retail workers are front-line workers who work every day to ensure the constant availability of basic necessities. At Maxima Latvija, we have more than 7,700 employees who provide everything needed to more than 250,000 people throughout Latvia every day. It is a great pleasure that a large part of our colleagues have already been vaccinated or plan to do so in the near future,” says Tomas Rupšys, Head of Maxima Latvija.
Within the framework of this initiative, information on vaccination, how to receive it and other important questions is available in the communication channels of Maxima Latvija, so that every employee, regardless of their position and specific workplace throughout Latvia, receives scientific and fact-based answers to their questions. Prof. Dr. med. Juta Kroiča (Riga Stradins University, Head of the Department of Biology and Microbiology), Ainis Dzalbe (therapist and GP), as well as others will take part in informative seminars for the employees. To inspire colleagues, Maxima employees will share stories about why they have already been vaccinated or why they plan to do so in the near future.
Since the pandemic, by investing more than 1 million euros, Maxima Latvija has implemented more than 40 initiatives to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus to ensure that customers and Maxima Latvija employees are safe in stores.
Juris Šleijers, Public Relations Manager of Rimi Latvia, emphasized that Rimi's priority is employee safety. "We continue to provide safe working conditions for our employees, as well as regularly remind them to comply with epidemiological safety requirements both at work and on a daily basis. Currently, the opportunity to get vaccinated is available to any Latvian resident who has reached the age of majority, and we believe that each of our colleagues will make a responsible decision to reduce the spread of the pandemic as soon as possible. Respecting the choice of our employees, we have called on Rimi team leaders to be flexible and to give their employees the opportunity to schedule vaccinations at a time that suits them. In addition, we are currently actively exploring opportunities and employee interest in vaccination at the workplace,” said J. Šleijers.
Asked whether Rimi grants a day-off if the vaccine has side effects that make it difficult to work, J. Šleijers replied: "If a Rimi employee observes a deterioration in his or her state of health, their GP will issue a sick-leave certificate. We need to be aware that the employee will not come to work, but we do not need to know exactly what has caused the employee's health condition to change. Such data is considered sensitive and is not collected or compiled."
Although no Lidl store has opened yet, all vacancies at Lidl Latvija have already been filled. Now they are waiting for the epidemiological situation to be safe enough that the new stores can be opened. Some Lidl Latvija employees have already been vaccinated.
"Taking into account that vaccination is a free choice for everyone, as well as the fact that Lidl Latvija stores are located in different cities of Latvia, the company does not organize collective vaccination in the workplace for its employees. Although vaccination is voluntary, we actively inform employees about the opportunities provided by the state to apply for vaccination and carry it out individually, at the most convenient time and place. They can also go and get vaccinated during working hours, with an agreement from their direct manager,” Ingars Rudzītis, Manager of the Corporate Communications Department of Lidl Latvija, said to Neatkarīgā.
Lidl Latvija has started to provide its more than 1,500 employees with free Covid-19 self-test kits. Employees are provided with one free nasal self-test kit weekly. These nasal self-tests show the result after only 15 minutes, so employees can perform the tests at their convenience and do not need to take them to the laboratory to find out the result.
"The health of our employees is our top priority. With this self-test kit offer, our company fulfills its role of corporate responsibility and strengthens protection against infection. That is why we offer our employees this opportunity to perform the quick Covid-19 self-tests on their own," said Jākobs Jozefsons, Chairman of the Board of Lidl Latvija.
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