Alison Braley-Rattai, Assistant Professor of Labour Studies at Brock University, had a piece recently published in The Conversation about the complex situation faced by employers that wish to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for their employees.

She writes:

“The process of vaccinating Canadians against COVID-19 has begun. With the rise in vaccine hesitancy, and many refusing even to wear masks, people are wondering whether COVID-19 vaccination could be mandatory.

 It could, in particular contexts. One is the workplace, through employer policies. Another is through legislation. However, neither possibility is simple or straightforward.

Workplace policies

Employers have many reasons to consider mandatory vaccination. One reason is their legal duty to take “every reasonable precaution” to create a safe working environment.

While that duty compels some pandemic-related directives, there is disagreement about whether a vaccination policy is among them. Either way, any subsequent policy would be subject to certain considerations.”

Continue reading the full article here.