The companies have all have committed to offering flexibility for staff receiving the vaccine during working hours and to signpost staff to NHS advice on vaccination.
They have also committed to giving paid time off for employees, in addition to providing sick pay for the minority who experience minor side effects like fever or a headache.
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John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK country manager, said it's important large businesses support the campaign to keep their employees as safe as possible.
He said: “Our number one priority has been the health and safety of employees, and our internal COVID-19 testing programme is just one of over 150 safety measures introduced to help keep our people safe.
“More recently we enhanced our testing facilities and launched variant analysis to help support health authorities in fighting the virus.”
Vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi has called on other UK businesses to join the employer coalition.
Zahawi said: “We’re extremely grateful to all the brilliant businesses who have supported the vaccination programme so far and we’re calling on every employer in the UK to join us in the final push to get the UK vaccinated.
“Our best chance of living with this virus safely is by working together, with everyone playing their part and getting both doses of their vaccine.”
Analysis from Public Health England (PHE) and the University of Cambridge suggests that vaccines have so far prevented an estimated 8.5 million infections and 30,000 deaths in England alone.
Speaking to HR magazine, Adam Firby, HR director at Molson Coors Beverage Company, one of the businesses pledging their support to the government's scheme, said: “Any business with the health and wellbeing of its employees at its heart will want to encourage its people to take up the COVID-19 vaccine.
"Not only are vaccines the best way to protect yourself, but they also help to protect those around you from the virus."
Firby also said it’s important HR teams support staff to make well informed decisions and encourage as many people as possible to get the vaccine.
"There are a number of ways HR can help to increase vaccine uptake amongst employees, for example by sharing accurate information with colleagues, family and friends and removing barriers like being concerned about taking time away from the business to get a jab or time to recover.
"It’s important to also urge staff to be cautious of misinformation and encourage them to use trusted sources like nhs.uk if they are searching for information or answers to questions about the vaccine,” he said.
Businesses and industry bodies supporting the COVID-19 vaccination programme:
- Amazon
- Asda
- Merlin Entertainments
- Metro Bank
- Molson Coors
- Nationwide Building Society
- Santander
- Severn Trent
- Slimming World
- Sky
- Three UK
- Builders Merchants Federation
- British Beer & Pub Association
