Do you need a COVID-19 vaccine to even apply for a job now?

Don’t be surprised if a Covid-19 vaccination is required on your next job application.

As companies around the US weigh making vaccinations a must for an impending return to the workplace, a new report says that several positions that are available now are calling for candidates to receive the jab if they want work.

Are vaccines the new resumes?

The Wall Street Journal reported that employers are starting to mandate vaccinations before candidates are even hired, while making those already employed get the jab, as well.

On the surface, requiring the jab makes sense for companies because it ensures everyones safety working together. It also eliminates the possibility of sick days or company-wide sickness, which could add up to some hefty costs.

As businesses begin thinking of how to encourage employees to get the coronavirus vaccine, some said incentivizing the vaccine could be a way to get everyone safe by adding a little cash in their pockets.

A third of workers said they would get the COVID-19 jab for as little as $100, according to a recent study. Experts say that employers can offer additional paid-time off or gift cards as an option to encourage workers to get the vaccine.

There’s also the reality that not everyone in the office is going to be vaccinated — until now.

Why some industries are mandating vaccines

The Houston Methodist Hospital network said it’s mandating the vaccine for all existing employees and new hires, barring exemptions, the report said. For workers that don’t follow the mandates, they “will at first be suspended without pay, and later terminated.”

Other industries that lean toward requiring vaccines include hospitality, healthcare, non-profit, and even a telecom company in Alaska.

It’s certainly going to be an interesting progression as companies begin to integrate workers back to the office. For companies that are hiring now, mandating vaccines could be a sign of things to come. For instance, a raw plastics distributor in Kentucky made vaccinations required, which was met with some criticism. One employee quit without giving notice, while another resigned, according to the report.

In addition, they’re getting straight to the point when hiring. Via WSJ:

The company now lists its vaccine requirements on its job ads for machine operators and others. She and her colleagues now open job interviews by asking: “Have you received the Covid vaccine, or are you planning to receive it?”

If an applicant is unwilling to do so, the interview ends. “It’s no problem at all,” she says. “It’s just you can’t work at Lastique.”

Is it time to start writing “vaccinated” under qualifications on a resume?