Hunter home-building company McDonald Jones Homes is breaking ground by offering its employees $200 to spend at Coles or Myer if they’ve had their COVID vaccine. 

Around 300 staff members in the Hunter and more than a thousand country-wide are eligible for the vouchers if they can provide proof they’ve had both doses. 

Head of Corporate Affairs Brett Lavering says the incentive will go a long way for the safety of employees and of the wider region.

“It’s not mandatory, it’s entirely up to them, but we think it’s a good way to do our bit to try and get the country back on track,” Mr Lavering said.

Mr Lavering said the response from staff has been encouraging. 

“We introduced it on Friday, and already about 50 staff have come forward with their vaccination certificate to say that they’re done, and plenty of others are saying,  ‘Yep, I’ve got one down, I can’t wait to get my second one’,” Mr Lavering said.

“They’ll get that gift voucher, and they can spend that on whatever they like.”