The response of the HR directors on the vaccination plan in the company. Data in%. (Note: Respondent audience: 323 human resources managers and HR managers. Source: Aidp – Italian Association of Personnel Management)
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The accessions
Many production companies have already applied: there are 732 company sites accredited as vaccination hubs by the extraordinary commissioner Francesco Paolo Figliuolo (see Il Sole 24 Ore of 23 April). “There is great excitement on the part of Italian companies – explains Luca Del Vecchio, director of the Life Sciences and Research Area of Confindustria – and enormous attention to the resolution of those problems that may arise from time to time and that we are managing together with the competent authorities. On the other hand, it is a question of carrying out an unprecedented experimentation in the country that will bring out aspects that clearly must be managed from day to day, I would say from hour to hour. The rules at the national level have also been identified thanks to the proactive action of Confindustria; now, it is a question of proceeding at the territorial level. The drivers of this plan are two: the timing of the national vaccination campaign and the availability of vaccines ». It is difficult to predict the dates, in any case the priority is: to be ready as soon as the entire company vaccination machine is in a position to leave. In the meantime, work is being done to dissolve the logistical and organizational knots, that is, where and how.
In this regard, 38% of companies declared that they already have an adequate structure, environments and paths within it to manage this process. 42% are considering what to do. While a small part (18%) said they are not equipped. “It is necessary to think of separate environments from the production ones for each of the three phases, acceptance, inoculation and waiting”, explains Luca Barbieri of Arlati Ghislandi, the law firm specializing in labor that manages the human resources of over 300 companies in outsourcing, many of which SMEs. Also for this reason, for various companies, the hypothesis of relying on external structures through conventions seems to be emerging (see the article on the side): for example, 38% of companies are thinking about it. One of the greatest difficulties is undoubtedly the planning and procurement of vaccines. “Many production companies are waiting to understand when they could start vaccinating: they need adequate notice to organize shifts and production, in particular in a continuous cycle”. In addition – he continues – “the summer holidays are approaching: the vaccines are likely to arrive when half of the staff is not there”. According to the lawyers, any priority criteria should also be clarified if the doses were not enough for everyone.
Costs
In short, there are still many cards to fit together, including costs: because if it is true that 48% are willing to take care of them, over 38% are considering how to do it, while 13% are not really available to support them. A very first, summary, estimate by the Arlati Ghislandi experts assumes a total direct cost of around 15-20 euros per worker (including competent doctors, spaces and equipment), but other indirect costs must also be included, including any absences due to illness, in reaction to the vaccine.
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