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17 December 2021 / Sarah Rushton , Sophie Georgiou
Issue: 7961 / Categories: Features , Employment , Covid-19
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No jab, no job?

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Sarah Rushton & Sophie Georgiou address the thorny issue of vaccine mandates in the workplace
  • Without a legal requirement for mandatory vaccinations, it will be difficult and legally risky for employers to implement a compulsory vaccination policy, as they will need to be aware of the potential for discrimination claims if they do so.

COVID-19 has presented numerous challenges for employers, and few have proved more divisive than the issue of vaccination.

While the UK offers a comprehensive vaccination programme to the general public, participation has never been made compulsory.

Care sector

Since 11 November 2021, all staff working in a Care Quality Commission-registered care home must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have a medical exemption. This has been hugely controversial as the care home sector is already facing staff shortages, and the requirement could cause up to 40,000 staff to leave.

It is also likely that the vaccination policy’s full impact has yet to be felt, as individuals can currently self-certify that they have a medical exemption until 24 December 2021. Thereafter, the exemption

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