BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty ImagesThe vaccine will not be required, but the company is strongly encouraging workers to get vaccinated.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more storiesOlive Garden's parent company is offering paid time off for hourly employees who want to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Hourly workers will now receive up to four hours of paid time off in order to get the vaccine. The time will be split, with two hours allotted for each dose. The pay rate will depend on the employee's total earnings — which includes tips — over the prior 13 weeks and will be capped at $20. Darden said it is not requiring employees to get vaccinated, but is strongly encouraging it. For managers who wish to get the vaccine, the company said it will provide "scheduling flexibility.
When you're infectious, you're family.
God bless you, Olive Garden and your breadsticks.