The vaccination implementation is in effect, so what do employees and employers need to know?
Whilst not mandatory (…just yet) Employers are looking strong policies to put in place for a requirement to take the vaccination, unless an employee has a justified reason not to get it.
Whilst at the same time, Employers are not obligated to offer or pay for the vaccine.
That said, from a H&s perspective and variant on specific sectors e.g. Healthcare, it is anticipated that employees will be encouraged to take it. From this point, it is encouraged that employers have this embedded into their COVID-19 policy along with other regulations under the Emergency COVID-19 Legislation and the Health & Safety at Work (NI) order 1987.
We would envisage one day the vaccination to become mandatory; Employers do carry a duty of care under the Health & Safety at work (NI) order to ensure minimum risk in the workplace for employees.
However, there is no legal impact from an employee refusing nor if an Employer does not wish to enforce or provide the vaccine… at this time under the Government restrictions, however this is still open for changes in the near future.
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