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Original poster

Can my employer ask me to share my vaccination status?

93 replies

curiousemployee123 · 22/07/2021 19:22

Just that really. We've been warned it's coming and we'll be expected to confirm we've been vaccinated.

Am I compelled to answer? Any one been asked?

OP posts:
Original poster
curiousemployee123 · 22/07/2021 19:22

Don't work in a care home or the health sector

OP posts:
Againstmachine · 22/07/2021 19:23

What sector do you work in

sofato5miles · 22/07/2021 19:23

Why wouldn't you? 🤷🏻‍♀️

gordongrumpy · 22/07/2021 19:23

Their occupational health can, yes.

nutellamagnet · 22/07/2021 19:24

They can ask, yes. They can ask almost anything.

Againstmachine · 22/07/2021 19:25

Why wouldn't you? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Because it's none of their business.

BIWI · 22/07/2021 19:26

I take it from this, that you haven't been vaccinated?

Thisisthemonth · 22/07/2021 19:26

if you don't say yes you might as well say you haven't had it. that's what we are having to with our staff. we use the status to try and better safety plan for returns to work.
of you havent had it u are presumably happy and confident in your reasons to not have it so just tell them the truth ?

EileenGC · 22/07/2021 19:27

Mine do. Because we spend 25% of the calendar years traveling abroad, and imagine the pain of organising rotas and deciding who to send where if you don’t even know if they’ll be allowed into X country.

Itsprobablynotcominghome · 22/07/2021 19:27

@Againstmachine

Why wouldn't you? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Because it's none of their business.

If I want to work with human blood samples I need to be vaccinated against Hep B.

I’ve only done it as part of some of my roles over the years, but some jobs I imagine it’s all they do. You wouldn’t get the job without proof of vaccination against it.

I never even googled who makes the Hep B vaccine. Have had 2 shots and a booster for good measure.

EileenGC · 22/07/2021 19:28

Also, because the company has spent hundreds of thousands of euros PCR-testing everyone 3 times a week. They are, understandably, looking forward to putting a stop to that, which will only happen when the majority of staff are vaccinated. Currently we sit at 90%.

Itsprobablynotcominghome · 22/07/2021 19:34

@EileenGC

Also, because the company has spent hundreds of thousands of euros PCR-testing everyone 3 times a week. They are, understandably, looking forward to putting a stop to that, which will only happen when the majority of staff are vaccinated. Currently we sit at 90%.
My small company (8 people) are on the way to 100%! 5/8 fully vaccinated with the others coming up in the next few weeks.

But 90% is great for a large organisation!

Againstmachine · 22/07/2021 19:35

If I want to work with human blood samples I need to be vaccinated against Hep B.

But for most that isn't a issue. As such non of employers business.

Viviennemary · 22/07/2021 19:36

If you refuse to say I think they can presume no. What other conclusion could there be.

Tibtab · 22/07/2021 19:40

Yes they can ask, and vaccination status is not a protected characteristic

EileenGC · 22/07/2021 19:41

My small company (8 people) are on the way to 100%! 5/8 fully vaccinated with the others coming up in the next few weeks.

Woohoo! I really hope we can get near that figure too!

Cattitudes · 22/07/2021 19:44

Also they might need to know who will need to isolate still after 16 August if the relaxation happens for those who are double vaccinated.

Againstmachine · 22/07/2021 19:47

If you refuse to say I think they can presume no. What other conclusion could there be.

I work in healthcare subcontracting in a NHS building but when we asked for the vaccine we were point blank told no, and employers were no help, as such it's non of their business (I've had both jabs).

Itsprobablynotcominghome · 22/07/2021 19:49

@Cattitudes

Also they might need to know who will need to isolate still after 16 August if the relaxation happens for those who are double vaccinated.
Yup.

Really isn’t looking great for the great unvaxxed.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 22/07/2021 19:51

of you havent had it u are presumably happy and confident in your reasons to not have it so just tell them the truth ?

I agree with this.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if 90% of people who don't want to disclose because it's private medical information spend a large part of their day talking about aches and pains, that time they had flu, an upcoming doctors appointment, their root canal, birth experience....

5831bob123 · 22/07/2021 19:57

It's not mandatory to tell them your vaccination status. It's a personal choice.

I've likened it to being asked my bank balance.......it's no ones's business!

Thisisthemonth · 22/07/2021 19:58

its nothing like your bank balance as it has a direct impact on whether you may or may not be able to work / be around people / need to isolate

GrettaGreen · 22/07/2021 20:01

Ugh. Don't be one of those people. Just have a conversation or send an email explaining you haven't had it and don't intend to. I spent weeks as a middle manager with an employee palming me off with vauge excuses such as allergies/fertility worries/it's untested etc. Everytime I reported the new reason, I got sent resources to go over with them to allay their fears for that particular worry. Did my head in as I knew she had no intention of having the bloody thing! Such a waste of time for both of us. She eventually ran out of excuses and just said she wasn't having it and that was the end of it thankfully.

canigooutyet · 22/07/2021 20:01

I wouldn't disclose. Same with I never disclosed whether I had the flu vaccination either.

I didn't work in any industry when vaccinations were compulsory.

Was reading somewhere a few days ago about how compulsory vaccination of care staff is having a massive impact on the care industry due to people leaving etc. Will see if I can dig it out. All this had already been presented to the government beforehand.

Totallydefeated · 22/07/2021 20:02

It’s your private medial information. We’re not usually expected to blab about our medical issues to all and sundry, and for very good reason.

This feels very intrusive. I have no idea what your contract of employment states about this, but would be worth checking.