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Original poster

To the non-vaxxers who work for the NHS- do we have a leg to stand on?

999 replies

LMonkey · 05/11/2021 16:55

So it's looking like vaccines will become mandatory for all NHS workers from April next year...where on earth can we go fro here?
I really dont want to get in to a vaccine debate. I have strong feelings as to why I don't want the vaccine. I'm a med sec and don't see any patients any way, or go anywhere near them. But regardless of this I strongly feel NOBODY should be forced to have any vaccine. Do we have a leg to stand on? I mean it's not lawful to force an employee to have a vaccine but if the government make it compulsory for nhs staff is there any way round it do you think? This really is causing me enormous amounts of stress. I really don't know what to do (please don't anyone say "get the vaccine"). I'd love to hear from others in the same boat or from a legal standpoint.

OP posts:
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October2020 · 05/11/2021 16:57

I mean... get the vaccine or find another job. Those appear to be the two options in front of you.

drpet49 · 05/11/2021 17:00

* But regardless of this I strongly feel NOBODY should be forced to have any vaccine.*

No one is forcing you to have the vaccine.

Mybalconyiscracking · 05/11/2021 17:03

Just have the vaccine, what makes you so bloody precious?

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 05/11/2021 17:04

The thing is, you're not being forced. You're being told that to continue working for that company you need to be vaccinated. So you are free to leave and remain unvaccinated if you want.

When I worked on cruise ships I had to have a whole host of vaccines before I could join the ship. If I refused I wouldn't have been able to work there.

MissyB1 · 05/11/2021 17:04

No one is forcing you, you absolutely have a choice.

devildeepbluesea · 05/11/2021 17:05

No. Basically you don have a leg to stand on. No one is forcing you to have the vaccine. But, if you want to keep your job it'll be a condition.

I mean, just get the sodding vaccine.

givethatbabyaname · 05/11/2021 17:06

Nobody is forcing you to have the vaccine.

It's a condition of your continued employment. If you don't want it, don't get it, then look for another job.

purpleflowerlegs · 05/11/2021 17:06

I don't think you do have a leg to stand on. Whilst I am very pro vaccination, this will make staffing the NHS harder which will make all our lives harder. I'm in a hospital and 1 ward said they will loose 5 good nurses who have all said they won't be vaccinated and will leave. I don't agree with them but I understand they have a choice which I guess is right.

Health and social care is just the tip of the iceberg though. Im sure all public sector areas 1 by 1 will have mandatory vaccination brought in.

whatswithtodaytoday · 05/11/2021 17:06

You could ask your consultant for an exemption letter.

Assuming you don't have a medical reason for not having the vaccine, you'll need to find another job. It is a shame, I'm sure you're very good at your job and the loss of experience is a waste.

Bluntness100 · 05/11/2021 17:06

I think you’ve misunderstood op? You seem a little confused. No one is forcing you to get a vaccine, yout choice remains, if you don’t want to get one done. But best you find another job.

Aposterhasnoname · 05/11/2021 17:06

No one’s forcing you, the doors over there >>>

Bluntness100 · 05/11/2021 17:08

@whatswithtodaytoday

You could ask your consultant for an exemption letter.

Assuming you don't have a medical reason for not having the vaccine, you'll need to find another job. It is a shame, I'm sure you're very good at your job and the loss of experience is a waste.

Do you know the op? How do you know she’s very good at her job?
Carboncheque · 05/11/2021 17:08

I’m so glad that they’re introducing this policy. It’s the sensible thing to do to protect both staff and patients.

Suzi888 · 05/11/2021 17:09

I would think it would depend on the reason. Some people medically can’t have vaccines can they sue to allergies, I would imagine those would have to be exempt.
Vaccines don’t last forever, we just need to live with covid now, like we live with other illnesses.
(I’m fully vaccinated, couldn’t give a monkeys about anyone else, you can still catch it and pass it on, so wtf).

Suzi888 · 05/11/2021 17:09
  • due not sue.
TrevorFountain · 05/11/2021 17:09

Do you mean, do you legally have a protected belief, or other Equality Act protection?

Probably not, if requiring NHS staff to be vaccinated is likely to be regarded in law as a proportionate means to achieve a legimate aim.

I think the data around transmission will be key tbh.

gamerchick · 05/11/2021 17:11

@October2020

I mean... get the vaccine or find another job. Those appear to be the two options in front of you.
This. Plenty notice has been given to find something else.

There are some vaccines that are mandatory anyway aren't they? This one's just been added to the list.

stayathomegardener · 05/11/2021 17:12

@LMonkey I totally understand what you are saying.

Ylvamoon · 05/11/2021 17:12

It depends.
Why are you not having the vaccine?
Do you feel you don't have a duty of care towards your patients or is it for health reasons? (I'm sure there are very few exeptions and as an healthy working adult you probably don't fall into this group. )
Alternatively just find an other non public/ patients facing job. Problem solved.

Bluntness100 · 05/11/2021 17:13

@Ylvamoon

It depends. Why are you not having the vaccine? Do you feel you don't have a duty of care towards your patients or is it for health reasons? (I'm sure there are very few exeptions and as an healthy working adult you probably don't fall into this group. ) Alternatively just find an other non public/ patients facing job. Problem solved.
She’s a secretary and doesn’t habe patients.
Coyoacan · 05/11/2021 17:15

How horrible all the posts here are. It is not choice when you have to lose your job. I despair of the English and how willingly people give up their freedoms and I say that as someone who is vaccinated

Chloemol · 05/11/2021 17:15

You are not being forced to do anything.

You are more than welcome to find a job somewhere else

Having the vaccine is exactly the same as saying you need a clean drivers licence to do a job, when you don’t have one, or yo7 need a certain qualification

If you don’t meet the criteria you look elsewhere

IBelieveInAThingCalledScience · 05/11/2021 17:15

"They'll lose 5 good nurses".

Nope. They're not good nurses if they refuse to be vaccinated and are happy to endanger patients in their care.

Chloemol · 05/11/2021 17:16

@Coyoacan

How horrible all the posts here are. It is not choice when you have to lose your job. I despair of the English and how willingly people give up their freedoms and I say that as someone who is vaccinated
You dont have to lose your job

You can choose to follow the requirement for the role, in whatever format that takes, or you look for another job

Chloemol · 05/11/2021 17:17

@IBelieveInAThingCalledScience

"They'll lose 5 good nurses".

Nope. They're not good nurses if they refuse to be vaccinated and are happy to endanger patients in their care.

Absolutely correct