As another (and in theory, the final) week of lockdown draws to an end, the debate as to the approach employers should take to the vaccination of their employees rumbles on apace.

Mandatory Vaccinations?

A large survey conducted by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has revealed that 58% of 1,068 managers believe that businesses should be allowed to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for staff returning to work.   Interestingly, in another survey conducted by the CMI at the end of January 2021, 50% of 1,050 managers were concerned about conflict management between staff who do not want the vaccine and staff who feel unsafe working alongside those who are unvaccinated.

Mandatory Vaccinations by law in the care sector?

It has been reported that Health Secretary Matt Hancock is considering controversial legislation which would legally require care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The review follows pressure from care home owners where uptake for the vaccine is surprisingly low - reputed to be in the region of 75% only, which is far lower than any age group uptake.    According to The Daily Telegraph, a published Cabinet paper debates the legislation that could be required, but full legal wording has not yet been drafted. However, a government spokesperson said that no final decision has been made.   

Paid Leave for Vaccinations?

A poll of 1,002 private sector employers carried out by the TUC has revealed that only 45% of firms have committed to offering their staff paid leave to attend COVID-19 vaccination appointments. The TUC has warned that this may be hindering the vaccine rollout and has urged the government to put pressure on firms to change their policies;  either to force paid leave for vaccine appointments as a matter of law but at least to exert pressure upon employers to pay - and perhaps also for recovery time afterwards.

A number of major companies including IKEA and John Lewis have pledged full pay to staff who have vaccine appointments and some businesses are being reported to be offering their staff additional incentives to take up the vaccine when offered to them. 

With government reports suggesting that the fear is the uptake will be lower as the roll-out progresses to the younger age groups, employers will increasingly need to consider their approach.   Will they be in the No Jab, No Job corner or the Your health is your own business corner - or somewhere in between?