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Original poster

Are your workplace documenting that you've been vaccinated?

99 replies

HaveYouMetMyMateStanley · 13/06/2021 09:46

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?

OP posts:
Saucery · 13/06/2021 11:13

Yes, they have asked. Via the office manager who sent a breezy “can you pop your Covid vaccination dates on the system, or let me know and I’ll do it for you” email.
Not a chance I am having medical info documented (not in a health role) and there is a field at the end of the dates asking for Reason For Declining.
I expressly emailed to say that they do not have my permission to put any medical details on the system at this time. They don’t need to know.

Bitofachinwag · 13/06/2021 11:17

@paniniswapx3

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.
How does it help you? What are you basing your plans on? Atm vaccinated people are meant to behave in the same way as unvaccinated people. We don't know how/if these rules will change in the future.
PortMerrionCentre · 13/06/2021 11:18

Civil Service have asked us to include vaccination details in our personal information on the computer system. We were told to do this as it “would help the NHS”.
Utter bollocks, the NHS already hold that information.
I just deleted the email, I have already ignored the requests to tell them my sexuality and my gender assigned at birth and my current gender identity.

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 13/06/2021 11:25

No. I don't think it is legal for them to request and store this personal data!

paniniswapx3 · 13/06/2021 11:34

@Bitofachinwag it would be too outing to say exactly but it helps with bubble planning and also we're all back in the office so it helps in that regard too with likely exposure/ sickness absence planning etc.

strangeshapedpotato · 13/06/2021 11:46

@HaveYouMetMyMateStanley

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.

Say you're off with covid but haven't been vaccinated then they won't pay.

Fairly certain that that wouldn't be legal, unless it was part of your employment contract when you joined the company.

As far as the law goes, my understanding is that a business cannot demand medical information off you, but they are free to request it. An employee can refuse to give that information.

No employee should currently face discrimination at work due to vaccine status (shame lol), but businesses may change future contracts to require it if they can demonstrate a reasonable reason for this requirement, which is probably not going to be very hard to do!

I suspect that right now they are asking in order to update their covid-safe strategy - a business with 100% vaccinated employees could operate differently to one with say 50% vaccinated.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 13/06/2021 11:54

Our company have not asked this of us - yet. I suspect they may try it.

They will know that some have been vaccinated (changing of shifts to accommodate appts etc).

Given that my medical info has not been kept quiet in the past, I no longer would volunteer details unless it directly affected my ability to do my job.

laselvar · 13/06/2021 11:59

Yes, we're being asked. It's not compulsory and I don't have a problem with it. I'm in a school. We have had vaccinated staff catch covid.

EBearhug · 13/06/2021 12:19

Not with us, and I'd like to see them get it past the German Workers' Council. Not that I'm in Germany, but where possible, they like to get policies as similar as possible across EMEA.

There will always be some people who can't be vaccinated because of autoimmune conditions and so on, so outside of healthcare, I should think it would be difficult to make it compulsory to be vaccinated.

I don't want it to be officially recorded at work, despite the fact that I already know most people's status, as most people have announced it on internal social media (as well as FB, etc.) So I think most people are happy for it to be known, but not having it officially recorded.

Trinacham · 13/06/2021 12:20

Nope, mine isn't.

Frazzled2207 · 13/06/2021 12:23

I've heard of some companies asking employees in a confidential survey if they have had the vaccine or intend to have the vaccine so that they know what % of their workforce they expect to have vaccinated.

I think that is reasonable, but it is right that individual info should be kept confidential.

FlagsFiend · 13/06/2021 12:23

I'm a teacher, we've not been asked and I wouldn't expect to be. The only vaccine related communication was a request to go outside work hours if possible, if not possible to contact HR.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 13/06/2021 12:26

Under GDPR regulation health data is considered highly sensitive, they can collect it as long as they can provide the legal basis under which they need it, and evidence that they have conducted a Data Protection Impact Assessment which considers how they'll secure the data.

Can they do those things?

newnortherner111 · 13/06/2021 12:51

No mine is not. Once the office opens, they will provide areas for those who wish to be isolated from others.

AppleJane · 13/06/2021 13:03

If you're fine with them asking that then you might as well help your employer to 'be prepared' for any future maternity leave by letting them know if you plan on getting pregnant any time soon. Where does it end?

alloalloallo · 13/06/2021 13:07

No, we’re not recording anything with our staff - factory so can’t work from home.

The only thing we’ve asked is if they can let us know when they’re having their jabs - mainly so we can organise workloads in case they’re off with side effects - we are so flat out busy at the moment that someone off unexpectedly throws large spanners in the works

ilovesooty · 13/06/2021 13:12

@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.

It could also happen in the future that companies will pay sick pay to isolate if you're vaccinated but not otherwise unless you have a medical reason not to be.
Againstmachine · 13/06/2021 13:13

I have had both now, but work can sod off if they want to know.

Bitofachinwag · 13/06/2021 13:46

@EBearhug

Not with us, and I'd like to see them get it past the German Workers' Council. Not that I'm in Germany, but where possible, they like to get policies as similar as possible across EMEA.

There will always be some people who can't be vaccinated because of autoimmune conditions and so on, so outside of healthcare, I should think it would be difficult to make it compulsory to be vaccinated.

I don't want it to be officially recorded at work, despite the fact that I already know most people's status, as most people have announced it on internal social media (as well as FB, etc.) So I think most people are happy for it to be known, but not having it officially recorded.

Yes and the people who can't have it for medical reasons shouldn't have to disclose those reasons. But if they don't they might get labelled "conspiracy theory anti vaxxers".
covetingthepreciousthings · 13/06/2021 13:53

Yes asked to confirm whether we've had it, date of each vaccine and which vaccine it was. We also have to report lateral flow test results twice weekly too (non healthcare role)

DH's work haven't asked for their records, he also does LFT but hasn't been asked to record them either.

BluebellsGreenbells · 13/06/2021 14:42

Yes and the people who can't have it for medical reasons shouldn't have to disclose those reasons

They may be asked to provide exemption certificates

A business would do well to advertise 100% vaccinated staff wouldn’t they?

kowari · 13/06/2021 14:47

No, they haven't asked. Colleagues speak amongst themselves but nothing from management. I don't work in health care or with vulnerable people so my medical information is none of their business.

kowari · 13/06/2021 14:51

It could also happen in the future that companies will pay sick pay to isolate if you're vaccinated but not otherwise unless you have a medical reason not to be.
How would that work? People would just say they are sick if sick, or go to work if they are well but will not be paid to isolate

BelleHathor · 13/06/2021 14:55

@TooManyPlatesInMotion

No. I don't think it is legal for them to request and store this personal data!
No it isn't legal, I would hope that HR has fully consulted with the GDPR lead as companies can be fined up to 10% of their income for breaches.
OldWomanSaysThis · 13/06/2021 14:59

Company is asking for status but not requiring it be provided.