The Department of Employment and Labour has issued an updated occupational health and safety directive which, among other things, expressly permits an employer to implement a mandatory workplace vaccination policy subject to specific guidelines.
Consultation
An employer must consult with the relevant trade union on the mandatory vaccination policy together with any health and safety committee established in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The policy must also be made available for inspection by trade unions, the health and safety committee as well as an inspector.
Factors to consider when determining mandatory vaccinations include:
- Age;
- Comorbidities;
- Risk of transmission due to the job role
- Any collective agreement in place on the subject..
Education
An employer must raise awareness among employees with regards to, among others, the nature, benefits and risks associated with the vaccines.
The objectives of these guidelines should be:
- The guidelines are not to supersede or undermine any collective agreement on the subject.
- The guidelines are general and broad in nature and deviation may be required based on the specific workplace;
- The guidelines are based on mutual respect and striking a balance between public health imperatives, the constitutional rights of employees and the efficient operation of the employers business.
Essentials
A mandatory vaccination policy must include the following:
- Notice to employees that they must be vaccinated as and when vaccines become available.
- A right to refuse vaccination on constitutional or medical grounds.
- The opportunity for an employee to consult with a trade union representative, a worker representative or a representative of the health and safety committee
- Where reasonably practically possible, provide transport to vaccination sites.
- Allow an employee sick leave or paid time off should they suffer side effects after having received the vaccine, alternatively make a claim on behalf of the employee in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act..
Refusal
Where an employee refuses to be vaccinated on medical or constitutional grounds, an employer should:
- Counsel an employee and allow them to confer with a trade union representative, a worker representative or a member of the health and safety committee.
- Refer the employee for further medical evaluation where the objection is on medical grounds. This will however require the consent of the employee.
- If necessary, take steps to reasonably accommodate the employee by making amendments to their role or work environment in one or more of the following ways: allow them to work from home where possible, require that they self-isolate in the workplace; or require the employee to wear an N95 mask while in the workplace.
Within 21 days of the Directive coming into force an employer must amend their workplace plan to include the following:
- Whether they intend to make vaccinations mandatory;
- The category of employees that must be vaccinated;
- The manner in which it will adhere to the directive;
- The measures it will take to implement the vaccination of employees as and when vaccines become available;
- Provide employees with paid time off to be vaccinated, provided an employee shows proof of vaccination.
Companies who do choose to go ahead with a mandatory vaccination policy for the workforce will also need to provide transport to and from the vaccination site for its employees. Workers will need to be assisted with registering on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) and if an employee experiences side effects following the jab they must be afforded paid time off to recover.
