While the federal government has assured Australians the coronavirus vaccine will not be mandatory, some employers may say otherwise.
Employers will be allowed to require workers to vaccinate against coronavirus, a workplace law expert says, despite assurances from the federal government the jab will be voluntary.
As the vaccine’s national rollout approaches, there are calls for greater clarity around the authority of businesses and rights of their employees. It comes after a Brisbane care worker who was terminated for refusing a flu jab launched an unfair dismissal case against her former employer.
Zana Bytheway, executive director of employment rights legal centre JobWatch, said employers had a responsibility to provide a safe work environment. As part of fulfilling that obligation, they may require that workers are vaccinated at the company’s expense.
