Vaccinations

Sick leave is only able to be used where you have an injury or illness that makes you unfit to work.

Unions worked directly with employers to secure paid vaccination leave for all workers during the pandemic and campaigned for the Government to step up and make vaccination leave a universal right for all workers.

Yes, provided you have a sick leave entitlement.

Casual workers do not have a sick leave entitlement unless their employer has specifically agreed to this.

Casual workers generally have no entitlement to paid absences unless their employer has specifically agreed to this.

Mandatory vaccination programs already exist in most parts of Australia for a range of vaccines. They apply to workers who public health authorities have identified as being at risk of contracting and/or spreading a disease.

Vaccination laws differ from state to state but most states and territories have some form of compulsory scheme that mandate vaccines for some segments of the workforce. These mandates are generally, but not always, implemented through the use of Public Health Orders.

Even without specific laws, there are some circumstances where a worker can be compelled to receive a vaccination as a condition of employment.

If you have concerns about mandatory vaccinations and your workplace, contact your union.

A majority of workers and the public support being vaccinated, but transmission from unvaccinated people will remain a risk.

Work health and safety law requires employers to provide safe and healthy workplaces. They must provide safe and healthy workplaces by eliminating or reducing risks so that workers have the highest level of safety reasonably practicable. If your employer is putting health and safety at risk, they are breaking the law.

Given that vaccines do not completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19 your workplace must ensure that other measures are put in place to reduce the risk.

Work health and safety law requires employers to provide safe and healthy workplaces. They must provide safe and healthy workplaces by eliminating or reducing risks so that workers have the highest level of safety reasonably practicable. If your employer is putting health and safety at risk, they are breaking the law.

All workers have a legal right to a workplace that is free from bullying, harassment and discrimination.

If your employer treats you less favourably because you are vaccinated, it may be considered workplace discrimination.

If you believe that you are being discriminated against at work, contact your union about how to handle the situation.