Your boss wants everyone to return to work, but some don’t want vaccine

By Hannah Herrera Greenspan

Q: You have colleagues who refuse to get the coronavirus vaccine, but your boss wants everyone back in the office. What should you do?

A: It’s quite the conundrum when your principles and your paycheck merge. It is clear that vaccinations decrease the risk of spreading the virus; however, there are those who feel strongly against getting the vaccine or prefer to wait to see if there are negative effects. There may also be a specific reason someone refuses to get the vaccine.

I can’t speak to the legal issue. However, from a social skills viewpoint, it’s important to be transparent with your employer. If you are uneasy, feel free to have a noncombative discussion with your boss about your apprehension. Ask if there are methods that can be put in place for those who prefer to continue to social distance. Perhaps you could work in another office area or continue working remotely.This scenario is not uncommon, and most management teams are doing their best to keep everyone employed, safe and productive.

— Diane Gottsman, etiquette expert, author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life” and founder of

The Protocol School of Texas

A: The reality is not everyone’s going to choose to receive the coronavirus vaccine. The question isn’t how can I change this individual’s mind; it’s what can I do to feel safe and comfortable at work in our new normal.

No. 1, continue to wear a mask. No. 2, keep your distance. No. 3, communicate these concerns to your employer. Usually, managers can abide by these recommendations.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of repositioning desks or chairs; this is what restaurants are doing.

— Dr. Christopher Colbert, assistant emergency medicine residency director and professor of clinical emergency medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago