Vaccinations in the Workplace: a higher expectation than one may think
There is currently no legislation requiring employees within the UK to have the COVID-19 vaccine. However, a recent Acas survey found that approximately 22% of employers intend to require their new staff to have the COVID-19 vaccination, and 21% would require their existing staff to be vaccinated too.
There is currently no legislation requiring employees within the UK to have the COVID-19 vaccine. However, a recent Acas survey found that approximately 22% of employers intend to require their new staff to have the COVID-19 vaccination, and 21% would require their existing staff to be vaccinated too.
Interestingly, these figures represent a considerable increase when compared with our own workplace survey in December 2021 (Employment & Workforce Survey 2021: Vaccinations in the workplace). It would be interesting to understand the respondents’ rationale for making vaccination a requirement of employment.
Acas’ guidance on the matter remains the same, in stating that it is better to support staff to get the vaccine rather than requiring them to be vaccinated. (Supporting staff to get vaccinated: Getting the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for work - Acas)
Where employers do require that employees and future employees are vaccinated, they need to take heed that they may be opening themselves up to future complaints down the line. Staff and applicants could argue that they are being discriminated against on religious and/or health grounds, or because they are pregnant and do not want to be vaccinated. Where staff have been dismissed as a result of refusing to be vaccinated, this may lead to claims of unfair dismissal.
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Spring has sprung - update on the Charities Act coming into force
In Person Event
'Autonomous vehicles: what the future holds' event
Opinion
The NHS pay deal – are all Agenda for Change staff eligible?
Opinion
Further three-day junior doctors strike announced for June
Press Release
Browne Jacobson announces key partner appointment to further grow higher education and charities practice
Opinion
Non-compete clauses - proposed changes to employment contracts
Press Release
Browne Jacobson welcomes new Manchester employment partner Lee Ashwood
Legal Update
The Retained EU Law Bill – sunsetting the sunset
Legal Update
“Smarter Regulation” – proposed employment changes ahead
Opinion
New bill reaches tipping point: bill on allocation of tips at final stages
Opinion
Pay deal reached for Agenda for Change employees
Published Article
Third Party Harassment – haven’t we been here before?
Opinion
Mediation – remote or in person?
Opinion
Injunction means nurses’ strike will be cut short
Opinion
New Acas guidance on mental health reasonable adjustments
Legal Update
Industrial action update: school strikes
Opinion
Further industrial action announced as RCN reject pay deal
Legal Update
Principles of good governance for charities – a recent reminder by the Charity Commission
Opinion
Confirmation of ACAS early conciliation in the context of multiple claim forms
Published Article
Managing flexible working requests – how to stay on the right side of the law
Opinion
The UK market offers the best value for commercial real estate
Legal Update
A pandemic legacy: flexibility
Opinion
Gender pay gap reporting – what are my obligations?
Opinion
Employment claims: the new rates and limits from 6 April 2023
Opinion
Plans to amend NHS pension rules to bolster NHS workforce approved by government
Opinion
Increase to 20 hour limit on supplementary employment for Health and Care Worker visa holders
Published Article
ClientEarth claim may expand scope of directors' duties
Article
New report highlights risk of sidelining ED&I in school trusts
Opinion
Mopping up after a leak – how businesses can take steps to protect their confidential information
Press Release
Browne Jacobson collaborates with The GLAA and University of Nottingham to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking
Legal Update
Product distribution – how to protect yourself from an early exit
Legal Update
Teacher strikes – lessons learnt so far
Opinion
Can toilet facilities amount to sex discrimination?
Opinion
Consultation launched on minimum ambulance service levels during strike action
Opinion - Maternity services
Changes to redundancy protections for employees post-maternity leave
Opinion
BMA issues medical locum rate card for junior doctors
Legal Update
Employee who refused to wear a face mask fairly dismissed
Opinion
New toolkit to support safer recruitment in the care sector
On-Demand
Employment update webinar
