Public Safety and Personal Liberty
Posted by estiator at 7 June, at 04 : 38 AM Print
MANAGING FOR SUCCESS By CONSTANTINE N. KOLITSAS Business Coach
If you’re like me, you’re scratching your head, trying to figure out how to walk the fine political line that has emerged that seemingly pits public safety against personal liberty. Of course, I’m referring first and foremost to the debate over vaccinations (with mask wearing being closely tied to this as well).
As a responsible business owner, I have decided to get vaccinated, although I’m generally against putting foreign substances in my body. In truth, I’ve gotten a flu shot only once in my life (at the insistence of my wife in the early days of our marriage); I don’t administer antibiotics to my body unless it’s a last resort; and I shy away from simple medications like Tylenol and Advil (I’m an aspirin man). The decision to get the COVID19 vaccine was made exclusively in the interest of public safety. I simply don’t want to transfer the virus to any of my staff or customers.
As for my staff, I am suggesting that they all be vaccinated, and I inform them of the places and times where they are available. But I’m not mandating it. In addition to all of the potential liabilities (I can foresee lawsuits from employees who might have bad reactions to a vaccine that their workplace mandates and would otherwise not have had), the fact is that we don’t own our employees. They work for us. We can’t make them do something they don’t want to do. Unless the government mandates the vaccine, then we can only make suggestions.
The fervor with which we make those suggestions, of course, could put us in the spotlight, and not in a way that we wish.
As a case study, one of the busiest restaurants in my area of Connecticut recently posted a controversial announcement for its employees. The announcement was photographed and posted on social media and has kicked up a storm of controversy. As you read the announcement that follows, keep in mind that Connecticut was the first state in the union to reach a 50% vaccination level for all adults.
We can’t make our employees do something they don’t want to do. Unless the government mandates the vaccine, then we can only make suggestions.
Please Note:
◆ Vaccination opportunities are much more frequent now. Keep pushing to get an appointment and ask those who are vaccinated how to do it.
◆ It is imperative that every person who works at the XXXXX gets vaccinated—that way you can all feel more comfortable and relaxed with each other.
◆ We are a restaurant dealing with the public and it is terribly important that we keep them safe as well from this miserable disease.
◆ Anyone out there in the country who does not want to get vaccinated are just incredibly selfish and dangerous to all those around them.
◆ As soon as you get your first shot text me a picture of the little certificate.
The photo of the announcement was accompanied by a post calling for a boycott: So apparently the local watering hole, XXXX is giving THIS to their employees…. OUTRAGEOUS! I see a boycott starting… let your voice be heard! The comments that followed overwhelmingly condemned the restaurant.
You can pick apart the announcement and say that people are reacting against the sentence editorializing those individuals who don’t get vaccinated as “incredibly selfish and dangerous,” but I think the reaction to the post would be just as strong if that sentence had been omitted. For me, the business owner has crossed the line by asking for a photo of everyone’s vaccination certificates. This implies that there is no choice in the matter. And the language throughout the announcement is overly aggressive.
Don’t get me wrong—I want all my staff members to be vaccinated. But I’m not going to police them, or scare them into getting the shot (or shots). It’s through discussion and education that I want them to come to the conclusion that it is the best thing for them and for the business. And at the end of the day, if they feel it’s not the best thing for them, then that is their decision.
Constantine Kolitsas is the president of CNK Consulting, a restaurant consultant and coaching business. He can be reached at 203-947-6234 or at ckolitsas@gmail.com.
