Vaccinations in the workplace: Small businesses are still concerned with immediate ability to recover
Without an official government mandate for the population to be vaccinated against COVID-19, businesses acknowledge the choice remains with the individual and business owners are unable to independently mandate vaccines in the workplace until then. Some members want to know what rules are in place around mandating vaccines in the workplace and at this time they are able to incentivise vaccinations as part of their Workplace Health and Safety plan, for example offering employees time off to attend vaccination and COVID test appointments.
What businesses need now is certainty around a path out of lockdowns and limiting COVID restrictions, like strict density limits, to ensure they have the resources they need to make decisions now about their businesses’ immediate recovery and for a long-term plan back to business. We know part of that certainty includes the national population being vaccinated so an effective and efficient roll-out is in the best interests of the business community to help the population move about the country again and recover from COVID.
In the June quarter Pulse survey, businesses made it clear any return to strong business conditions would depend in-part on the vaccine roll-out, especially how quickly government could roll out the vaccine program and allow businesses and industry to operate under a more stable and secure platform.
- CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan