NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Dollar General announced it will be giving its employees a monetary incentive to get the Covid-19 vaccine. If employees are vaccinated, they will receive four hours of pay.
The company, headquartered in Goodlettsville, is one of the first big retailers to provide their employees with incentive to get the vaccine.
"We understand there may be barriers with our employees getting the vaccine and so we want to help remove those barriers," said spokesperson Crystal Ghassemi, "so while we are not requiring it, we are encouraging it."
Vaccines may be the key to ending a pandemic that has already affected so many. Sunnie Sanders is just one of the millions of people who have had the virus.
"It was definitely not a fun time," Sanders said, "I had a headache for about four days. I didn’t develop a cough but lost my taste and smell."
Sanders says choosing to get the vaccine is all about personal choice.
By Dollar General offering to pay their employees, rather than forcing them, Sanders says employees who do want the vaccines can do it without having to worry about other factors that day like gas money or childcare.
"If you want to do it go for it but I wouldn’t put myself through that situation," Sanders said, "I respect it because I know they’re just trying to be safe and safe as possible for everyone."
Dollar General has more than 17,000 stores.
In the meantime, health officials are urging folks to continue wearing masks and social distancing.
