“No jab, no job” could land employers in trouble

Implementing a ‘no jab, no job’ policy brings serious pitfalls for business across England, a leading employment lawyer has warned.

While it will be the law in England from November 11 for all staff and volunteers in registered care home settings to show proof they have received both Covid-19 vaccinations to enable them to continue working there, unless clinically exempt, companies need to be aware that introducing similar models for their employees could potentially lead to legal challenges.

Joanne Stronach, Head of Employment Law and HR at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, is raising awareness of the new regulations being introduced for care homes by the Government as part of its work towards reducing the devastating effect of the Coronavirus pandemic, particularly among the most vulnerable members of society.

There is a concern that other businesses will follow the lead of care homes and dismiss workers who refuse to be jabbed – but this could land these companies in trouble as there will be no law for the employer to rely on as the fair reason for the dismissal.

Joanne said:

“Just because there’s a law for care homes saying all staff need to be double vaccinated, other employers who decide to have a blanket ban on employing those who haven’t had their jabs run the risks of unfair dismissal, discrimination and breach of human rights claims.

“In fact, if you force somebody to be vaccinated against their will then it can also be classed as assault, so there are a lot of risks around this.

“Somebody may not want to be vaccinated on religious grounds or they’re pregnant and they’re worried about any risks to the baby. Dismissing them from their employment could open the employer up to a whole load of legal issues.

“Companies have to be careful about what models they adopt and make sure their actions are within the law.”

All those working or volunteering in a care home setting, including those not in direct contact with residents such as catering or laundry staff, will need to have both vaccinations before November 11 in order to continue working there, and not just frontline care staff as first thought.

Joanne said:

“The Government wants to protect the country from Covid-19 and (people) need to be fully aware of what the rules mean for them.

“The regulations and operational guidance have far wider reaching potential than people realise.”