JMMB Group Ups Vaccination Response through Engagement & Love 

Seventy-eight per cent of the JMMB Group’s team across the three countries in which the company operates – Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago- has been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to reports by the company.  This represents a positive snapshot of the results of ongoing efforts to engage its team and sensitize them with meaningful and credible information in a bid to reduce vaccine hesitancy, in addition to facilitating access for those who wish to be vaccinated. 

Keith Duncan, CEO of JMMB Group shared, “I am pleased with the steps taken by the team in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, even as our team members protect themselves and their families, by maintaining COVID-19 protocol and getting vaccinated. This shows a high level of social and personal responsibility, and as an advocate of these efforts to balance lives and livelihood in order to help Jamaica’s recovery, I am proud to see my team members come on board.” Adding, “I believe that together we can achieve the desired level of national immunity; I therefore encourage other members of my team and the wider Jamaica who may be hesitant to get the information they need to carefully consider the scientifically proven life -saving option of vaccination, in their own best interest and that of their loved ones.”  

In providing details of the company’s effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Cecile Cooper country chief culture and human development officer notes, The JMMB Group has sought to encourage its team members to protect themselves and their loved ones by maintaining a sustained awareness programme and to observe the various protocols of social distancing, establishing sanitization stations at all locations, reinforcing mandatory mask wearing in workspaces.”

As part of efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep its team safe, the company has taken a holistic approach by bolstering its flexi work model and enrolling a wider cross-section of its team. Since the pandemic and the resulting Government announced work-from-home order in March 2020, 58% of the JMMB Group team members work from home either exclusively or in a hybrid way; the remaining 42% consists mainly of frontline team members, who by the nature of their roles serve clients onsite. 

Additionally, the company has formalized its remote working arrangements (RWA) for non-frontline team members, in order to facilitate team members in roles that were compatible with remote work options and who saw the win/win benefits to enter into a permanent RWA. As a result, over 80% of the eligible roles have been enrolled in the first cohort of the RWA programme, to date.

In keeping with the company’s core values of best interest of all our stakeholders – team members and clients; JMMB Group has also pursued other practical initiatives such as is the facilitation of a vaccination blitz for team members and their immediate family members, in collaboration with the Private Sector Vaccination Initiative (PSVI). 

Cecile Cooper reiterated that the vaccination uptake by the team is encouraging, even as the company hopes to see a vaccination uptake rate of at least 90%, across all countries in the Group.  “As a team we want to be there for our clients who themselves face challenges in this global crisis and to do so we recognize that the safety and preservation of lives is paramount”, she added. Thus far, the team in the Dominican Republic has surpassed the 90% vaccination uptake target, this also reflects the broader society as that country’s vaccination rate is above Jamaica’s rate of 13.6% and Trinidad & Tobago’s of 43.5%. 

Combating Vaccine Hesitancy with Knowledge 
Like pockets of the wider society, members of the JMMB Group team have also expressed vaccine hesitancy, revealed Cooper. In response to this JMMB Group sought to combat hesitancy with knowledge and open discussion to support the team’s decision making in a respectable manner. “Additionally, in recognizing that this (vaccine hesitancy) is not unique to the team, but a human reaction, consistent with our values of openness, honesty we welcome frank discussion, in a spirit of empathy, care and love.” Cooper also lauded the leadership team for their example and openness noting,” We want to really acknowledge the strong leadership and example of many of our team leaders who have listened to the concerns and objections of team members, led by example and remained connected to their respective team members to encourage team members to seize opportunities to protect themselves, especially those who are at greater risk because of varying vulnerabilities.” 

Tamia Williams, digital marketing officer, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation admits to being initially hesitant, “…however, after learning the facts I made an informed decision to get vaccinated. I did it to protect myself (and) those I care about, (and) to do my part in protecting our vulnerable groups such as the very young, the elderly and the immuno-compromised, and so we could all get back to life.” Likewise her colleague, Nadine Sinclair, Conversations for Greatness (CFG) regional coordinator revealed, “My initial reaction was that it had not been tested enough and there (has not) been enough time for me to make a decision. The final factor for me was my parents, sons and other close family members who are overseas and I might not be able to see if I did not get vaccinated. I also had an up close experience of the ill effects of COVID-19 as members of my family were sick with COVID-19. I (therefore) felt like I needed to take a stand for myself and others since the numbers were going up and the vaccination seems to be one of the answers to this situation.”

JMMB Group’s Response to COVID-19
In addition to the efforts, on a company-wide level, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, JMMB Group has responded to calls from the PSOJ to lend financial support to the One Tablet or Laptop Per Child initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI) along with the Junior Achievement Jamaica and National Education Trust (NET) to provide needy students with the requisite tools to function in the virtual teaching and learning environment.

The JMMB Group also assisted with the distribution of food packages (to the tune ofJ$10 million) through the PSOJ COVID Relief. The fund was aimed at mobilising and distributing resources for the protection and welfare of Jamaicans, through a multi-sectoral partnership including other umbrella organisations such as the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ), American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), and other key stakeholders.