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ARTICLE · 30 DECEMBER 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE: Vaccinations And Employee Privacy

McCarthy Tétrault
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On December 11, 2020 the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Saskatchewan (the "OIPC") released an advisory on questions regarding vaccines for organizations, employers...

CanadaEmployment and HR
Conseiller De L'Employeur
Conseiller De L'Employeur
Jade Buchanan
Jade Buchanan
Danielle Douglas
Danielle Douglas
Abby Nann
Abby Nann
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On December 11, 2020 the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Saskatchewan (the "OIPC") released an advisory on questions regarding vaccines for organizations, employers and health trustees (the "Advisory"). This blog summarizes the OIPC's best practices for employers who are considering developing a vaccine-verification program that respects privacy rights. While the Advisory is directed toward Saskatchewan employers, it nevertheless provides some direction to employers in other jurisdictions with respect to employment and privacy considerations.

Background

With Health Canada's recent announcement authorizing the first COVID-19 vaccine for use in Canada, employers are now asking whether they will require their employees to receive the vaccine or whether they can ask for proof of vaccination as a means of protecting the health and safety of its workplace. However, asking an employee whether they have had the vaccination and requesting proof of

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