Companies in India have unofficially told search consultants and staffing firms to consider only vaccinated candidates, reports The Economic Times. Human resources heads of top companies, speaking on the condition of anonymity, also expressed reservations about hiring someone who is not vaccinated. "Quite a few companies, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, ecommerce and industrial, are making at least a single shot a necessity to get hired," said Rituparna Chakraborty, executive vice president at staffing services provider TeamLease Services. Many of these companies pose the question on the vaccination status during pre-interview documentation or at the time of interview. Some have made vaccination certificates a prerequisite for inducting new employees. But they are not putting it down in writing, as vaccination is completely voluntary and cannot be forced up on an individual as per government policy. “However, there is a tacit understanding that the candidates must have taken at least one dose to get inducted,” said Anshul Prakash, partner at law firm Khaitan & Co. Companies primarily look for vaccinated candidates when it is a frontline role, citing consumer confidence and workplace safety.

Even for white collar professionals, they are advising consultants to preferably hire vaccinated folks. They also nudge and incentivise existing staff to get the jabs. "It is becoming a matter of safety and hygiene, especially when the personnel are hired for on-ground roles such as in retail, banking, hospitality, and manufacturing industries," Lohit Bhatia, president, workforce management at Quess Corp, said.