Are your workplace documenting that you've been vaccinated?

[HaveYouMetMyMateStanley]

My workplace has requested that we send the dates of our vaccinations to our line manager and HR "for their records". In a large team, two are undecided as to whether they will have the jab. Various reasons and their decision. They have said that they are feeling pressure from the line manager to make a decision. I was talking to my DP who works elsewhere about this pressure and vax vs unvax etc which led to a discussion on the ethics of my workplace documenting this as its personal medical information. I have no idea what they are doing with this information and why they need it as assumed it was the norm.

For what it's worth, his workplace will be hybrid going forward and have still not discussed going back to the office whereas most of us have worked in office all the way through with my employer somehow getting "key worker" status which we absolutely are not.

Are your workplace documenting this and do you think it's ethical?

Health status is still private in the U.K. (though there are threats to this), unless you are for example a surgeon.

Employers are not allowed to ask your HIV status, whether you have hepatitis, whether you are ‘up to date’ with MMR or flu shots.

I would certainly consider it unethical if pressure was brought to disclose health details.

They are not allowed to mandate that you give them personal health information, and I certainly wouldn’t be doing so, whether vaccinated or not. They certainly shouldn’t be coercing people into either getting vaccinated or disclosing their status. If I felt coerced I would contact my union if I had one, or take independent advice.

I’ve had both my vaccinations and still wouldn’t be telling them ‘for their records’! That’s so intrusive!

no, we're being pushed into mostly WFH in near future so would be weird to ask.

No. Only time they talk about vaccinations is when they offer to pay for the flu jab. I don't take that offer up because I get an nhs one, but it's never mentioned, it was also once suggested that everyone born between 1980 amd 1990 check if they need another mmr but again that was never followed up on.

I would not be happy giving that information to my employer. I don’t understand why they would even need it?

My employer is not asking and I wouldn’t be happy if they did. I’ve had my first vaccine and will have the second so I wouldn’t be worried about getting pressure or anything, I’d just find it weird and intrusive.

I should imagine in the future that the government will no longer finance lockdowns and closures and pay for those isolating.

This will mean companies will need to arrange insurance to protect their company from similar events.

They will no doubt get some discount for vaccinated staff - which is reasonable.

I don’t see why it would bother you giving the information?

Seeing as we’ve had to book time off to get the vaccination, I think they know already.

My view was similar to that @BluebellsGreenbells, in that it may be used in sick pay policy. Say you're off with covid but haven't been vaccinated then they won't pay.

Some people are getting vaccinated outside of work hours so they may not be aware of all.

My workplace havent asked but it’s something we’ve chatted about on calls when we had them experiences etc

We know some have decided for their own reasons not to have it (it’s none of my business why they haven’t and I won’t judge them or challenge them ) - I haven’t seen any judgement or different approach on discussions on going back to the office.

No, my workplace hasn't. We are a factory so cannot WFH in any capacity.

without identifying my job, my workplace is recording whos had it but not asking for proof - but that's because the number vaccinated, who's testing regularly etc helps them plan how likely outbreaks are and how to plan staffing and modelling etc. I dont wanna say too much but theres a clear reason for it.

My work place hasnt asked. DH and DS work in pharmaceuticals and havnt been asked.
Dd works for nhs and has to supply all vaccinations, and got her vaccine first day as a vaccinator.

No

My employers haven't asked. I jumped at the chance to get my first vaccine and have booked my second but I still wouldn't tell them for their records. It's intrusive and sets a bad precedent for employers to request medical information for no reason other than "their records". I can see it being relevant for people who work closely with vulnerable people e.g. If you're a nurse providing hands on care to patients receiving chemotherapy.

My employer has asked for our vaccine dates. I don't have a problem with it. But I can understand why some people don't like it.

No.

@Flyonawalk

Health status is still private in the U.K. (though there are threats to this), unless you are for example a surgeon.

Employers are not allowed to ask your HIV status, whether you have hepatitis, whether you are ‘up to date’ with MMR or flu shots.

I would certainly consider it unethical if pressure was brought to disclose health details.

Sirry, that’s complete rubbish. Work places certainly can and do insist on vaccinations such as hepatitis, tetanus, yellow fever etc, depending on the circumstances, and location, and in outbreaks of TB in schools, for example, certainly you are expected to confirm yo ‘requests’ by public health England, and your tests and results are shared.

Some diseases are notifiable.

Yes, but we're a GP surgery. I have to report the staff vaccination data to PHE every month, but it is submitted for total staff by role and doesn't identify anyone. Only myself and the manager know who is vaccinated, officially, but really we all know because we're a close team (no one hasn't had it, though a couple delayed a little while but had it in the end).

My workplace has asked. I will not be disclosing this information to them as it is none of their business.

My work have added the option to our HR records where we can put our vaccination dates in, the only other option available is to say that we don't want to provide the info, there isn't a note box or anything.
I'm pregnant and have been offered the vaccine now but don't think I'll be having it until after baby is born.
I just selected that I didn't wish to provide the information. Luckily my side of the company are all home workers and have been for years so think they just want to get an idea for people returning back to the offices

We’ve been asked to confirm via an anonymous survey, and you can decline to answer if you wish.

@BluebellsGreenbells

I should imagine in the future that the government will no longer finance lockdowns and closures and pay for those isolating.

This will mean companies will need to arrange insurance to protect their company from similar events.

They will no doubt get some discount for vaccinated staff - which is reasonable.

I don’t see why it would bother you giving the information?

Seeing as we’ve had to book time off to get the vaccination, I think they know already.

Why would it bother people? Well, where does it end? Should employers get access to other medical information? There are plenty other medical conditions that might mean that staff will be off work and there are other diseases to be/ not be vaccinated against (obviously not as "current " as covid. Should employers be allowed to sack or not even employ people who might cost them more due to needing to take time off work for medical treatment?

I had an email asking this very question on Thursday. Deleted straight away. It’s completely inappropriate. Where will this end? The amount of personal intrusion and direction the Government is exercising is outrageous.

Yes, we're tracking it in the HR system. It's not mandatory to have the vaccine nor is it mandatory to tell them but so far everyone is fine with providing the information. Helps us plan much better, especially those in client facing roles.