Vaccines In The Workplace Part 2: Key Practical Issues For Employers

In the second of two articles examining the hot topic of vaccines in the workplace, we consider how employers who do not require staff to be vaccinated should approach some of the key practical issues arising out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. 

1. If we don't mandate vaccination, how should we encourage staff to have the vaccine?

In our first article on vaccines in the workplace we considered the key legal issues faced by employers who wished to mandate vaccines for staff.   You can read that article here.  Our conclusion was that for many employers it would not be reasonable to mandate vaccination and it could also be discriminatory.  That being the case, we expect many employers to proceed on the basis of strongly encouraging, but not requiring, staff to have the vaccine.   This approach will help you discharge your legal duties to minimise risks to staff and third parties in the workplace.