Staffing

Shake Shack, Freebirds offering PTO for vaccinations

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February 4, 2021

In an effort to encourage employees to get COVID-19 vaccinations, NYC-based Shake Shack and Austin's Freebirds World Burrito are offering workers paid time off to get vaccinated.

Shake Shack, which has nearly 7,600 employees, is covering up to six hours, and Freebirds is offering four PTO hours to any worker in one of its 55 locations in Texas. Both brands are also providing instructions on how to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine.

"We don't want any of our Freebirds Tribe members to choose between receiving a vaccine or coming to work," Freebirds CEO Alex Eagle said in a press release. "We encourage our Tribe to stop the spread of COVID-19 by taking the necessary steps to become immunized. Freebirds will pay up to four hours for employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine."

The news is especially timely for Shake Shack workers in New York as Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that restaurant workers could start being immunized immediately as long as there were enough vaccinations in local supply. Under the original plan, restaurant workers had to wait until March.

"Shake Shack has always prioritized taking care of its team, and we're excited to see the vaccination distribution widening across the country," a Shack Shack spokesperson told FastCasual. "As I'm sure you're aware, certain jurisdictions are expanding vaccines to more essential workers, including restaurant workers who are providing food to so many people."

While Shake Shack won't require employees to get vaccinations, the chain said it is "strongly encouraging it."