Delta Airlines announced a new employee health policy, charging staff an additional $200 per month, or $2,400 per year for those that fail to get vaccinated for COVID. While this is certainly attempt to encourage, rather than mandate, employee vaccination, the way this change was communicated--and structured--has produced a blowback that was avoidable.

In announcing the change, Delta CEO Ed Bastian committed a  communication faux pas, sending an inaccurate message: that the decision to fine unvaccinated staff is motivated by financials, not the health and safety of staff and passengers.

As Bastian said, the "surcharge will be necessary to address the financial risk the decision not to vaccinate creates." By framing this as a decision about money, Delta risks the perception that it doesn't place a high priority on safety.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Inc.