UK companies look to mandate Covid jabs for jobseekers

A number of companies in Britain are looking to mandate vaccines for those seeking jobs by implementing a process by which those applying to work at a firm would be contractually obligated to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

Law firms have confirmed a number of companies across various industries have considered adding this requirement for employees once vaccinations become available to the majority of the adult population.

Read more: Digital Covid vaccine passport enters development

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed it will be up to businesses to decide whether coronavirus vaccines are obligatory for employment in their businesses, adding that the government will not introduce mandatory domestic vaccine passports - proof of immunity against the virus - owing to the moral and legal grey area it represents.

Venues could also demand consumers have proof they have been vaccinated, according to business secretary Nadhim Zahawi.

Zahawi told the BBC: “It’s up to businesses what they do, but we don’t yet have the evidence of the effect of vaccines on transmission," adding that mandating such passports would be "discriminatory."

He said: “But at the moment we don’t yet have the evidence of the effect of the vaccines on transmission. It’s much better, as the Prime Minister quite rightly focused on, that you look at rapid testing. That’s the way forward.”

Murmurs that a number of companies may require employees both new and old to receive the coronavirus have been circulating, but other employers are also wary of potentially mandating vaccines for those who have legitimate reasons not to receive them.

Other countries, such as Greece, have mandated coronavirus passports in their countries, particularly for holiday-goers in a bid to open up their tourism sectors again, which may make up a large percentage of their economies.

More than 15 million people in the UK have been vaccinated and rollout amongst adults is expected within the next few months.

This means businesses who choose could start mandating vaccines relatively soon.

The UK's economy saw its biggest drop in over 300 years in 2020 as a result of the economic depression caused by the coronavirus and the catastrophic effects it has had on Britain's economy.

Read more: UK economy sees biggest drop in 300 years

The services industry has been hit particularly hard after three lockdowns, which have offered fleeting opportunities to do proper business.

This means it is understandable that a number of businesses and industries wish to ensure their staff are vaccinated against the virus in order to get themselves up and running again.

For its US employees, Lidl has offered a $200 pay rise for those who receive the vaccine as part of its plan to ensure all its staff have adequate healthcare.

Incentives such as this could also inspire workers to receive the vaccine which could protect them and others from transmission.

Back to Homepage

Back to Politics & Economics