The Fair Work Commission has declined to block five employers from disciplining employees who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccination, after finding they could suffer "irrecoverable" financial detriment by retaining them.
An employee who refuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has failed to prevent impending disciplinary action, with a court describing her adverse action claim as "exceedingly weak".
With vaccinations and other COVID-related conversations poised to divide workplaces, it's time for HR to proactively drive their organisations' 'conversation culture', a conflict expert says.
The Fair Work Commission has again upheld the sacking of an employee who refused a flu shot, with the majority bench controversially noting the public interest would not be served by encouraging a "spurious objection to a lawful workplace vaccination requirement".
Whether employers decide to mandate, encourage, or say nothing about COVID-19 vaccinations, a policy will give employees clarity on the topic, a lawyer says.
Costly legal disputes continue to highlight the many risks employers face when managing, disciplining, or dismissing employees while they are absent, injured or incapacitated. Attend this webinar for an up-to-date review of the legal framework applying to workplace absenteeism, injury and incapacity, and lessons from recent case law.
