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New study shows 1 in 5 employers in Scotland will insist on staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the year ahead

23rd May 2022

Over one in five of employers (21%) in Scotland plan to implement a "no-jab, no-job" policy in the year ahead for existing staff, according to a new study.

Workplace experts, Acas, commissioned YouGov to ask senior decision makers in Scottish businesses whether they plan to make it a requirement for staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of employment in the year ahead. The poll found that:

For existing staff:

Over one in five of employers (21%) said yes
51% said no
22% said that they do not know or are not sure
5% preferred not to say.

For new staff:

Over one quarter of employers (27%) said yes
44% said no
24% said that they do not know or are not sure
5% preferred not to say.

Ian Proctor Assistant Director Scotland said, "Most businesses in Scotland have no plans to require staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the year ahead but more than one in five do want to make it a requirement for existing staff.

"However, this is a very tricky area of employment law and it's a good idea for employers in Scotland to get legal advice if they are thinking of bringing in a vaccine policy.

"Acas advice is that it is always best to support staff to get the vaccine rather than insisting that they get it. We have free advice on how best to support staff and avoid conflict."

There is currently no law in England, Scotland or Wales that says employees must have the vaccine. The government removed the previous requirements for care home, health and social care staff on 15 March 2022.

Acas advice is that it is best to support staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine rather than requiring them to get it.

If an employer feels it is important for staff to be vaccinated, then they should talk with staff or the organisation's recognised trade union if they have one. Talking with staff can help to:

Agree a vaccine policy that's appropriate for both staff and the organisation
support staff to protect their health
keep good working relationships
avoid disputes in the future.

There are some practical ways that employers could support staff such as paying them their usual rate of pay if they are off sick with vaccine side effects instead of statutory sick pay. Employers could also consider offering staff paid time off for vaccination appointments.

If someone does not want to be vaccinated, then the employer should listen to their concerns. Some people may have health reasons such an allergic reaction to the vaccine and some employees may have other reasons for not wanting to be vaccinated.

Employers should be sensitive towards personal situations and must be careful to avoid discrimination.

Participants were asked which, if any, of the following are you / your organisation planning to implement?

New staff to have been vaccinated against Covid-19 (also known as a 'no jab no job' policy) in the year ahead.

Results:
27%: Yes, I / we do want to implement
44%: No, I / we do not want to implement
24%: Don't know / Not sure
5%: Prefer not to say

Existing staff to have been vaccinated against Covid-19 (also known as a 'no jab no job' policy) in the year ahead.

Results:
21% Yes, I / we do want to implement
51%: No, I / we do not want to implement
22%: Don't know / Not sure
5%: Prefer not to say
(NB - due to the rounding up of low figures, the total may not add up to 100%)

To see Acas's full advice, please visit: www.acas.org.uk/coronavirusvaccine