Gov. Wolf Gives Paid Time Off To Vaccinated State Employees

PENNSYLVANIA — State employees in Pennsylvania who get vaccinated can receive up to five days of paid time off, Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Monday, as part of his administration's latest effort to incentivize immunizations.

Fully vaccinated employees are eligible to take the time off between Dec. 20, 2021, and March 31, 2022.

The state is hopeful they'll inspire private corporations to do something similar.

"As one of the largest employers in Pennsylvania, we want to make sure our workers have the resources they need to be safe and healthy and be an example to other businesses to follow,” Secretary of Administration Michael Newsome said in a statement. “Most of our employees, approximately two-thirds, have worked in-person throughout the pandemic and continue to do so. This new paid leave package is designed to continue supporting our employees during this pandemic, while also helping to end it."

The move comes on top of an August initiative by the state that offered employees 8 hours of paid time off, alongside the initial "vaccine or test" requirement for certain workers.

It's the latest move to encourage Pennsylvanians to receive vaccinations. As of last Friday, the state had fully vaccinated 71.6 percent of adults 18 and older.

The Wolf administration has also extended COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave, which may be used when they are forced to quarantine due to COVID-19 concerns for themselves or someone they were exposed to. This leave also applies to those who need time off after receiving the vaccine.