COVID 19 Vaccination Policy Updated
Introduction
Young Hunter is committed to protecting all employees, partners, contractors, consultants, clients, and any visitors to our workplace from the harmful effects of COVID-19, as well as minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission within our workplace and wider Young Hunter community.
Young Hunter acknowledges that the risks associated with COVID-19, and the measures that can reasonably practicably be taken to minimise or eliminate those risks, may change over time. As such, Young Hunter reserves the right to review, amend or terminate this policy at any time, following consultation with you.
We intend to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission within our workplace by taking all reasonably practicable steps to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission for partners, employees, consultants, volunteers, contractors and clients.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Young Hunter gives effect to its obligations under the HSWA to eliminate and minimise risks arising from COVID-19 in the workplace for all partners, employees, consultants, volunteers, and contractors, as far as reasonably practicable.
It is intended to keep us safe, and is designed to be aligned to the Government’s objective of minimizing the impacts of COVID-19, and protecting our communities.
Policy Scope
At the date of this policy, Young Hunter is required to eliminate and minimise the risks arising from COVID-19 in our workplace. It is obliged to protect workers and other persons who are affected by our undertakings from harm, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes taking all reasonably practicable steps to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.
Young Hunter has undertaken a health and safety risk assessment. This assessment has determined that all work undertaken by Young Hunter is “low to moderate” in terms of the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
Changes in the current environment, and an analysis of the risks presented post the “COVID-curve” have informed the Young Hunter risk assessment. Young Hunter no longer requires vaccinations for employees, partners, contractors, or consultants, or anyone coming into the building.
Disclosure of vaccination status
Anyone subject to this policy may continue to disclose their vaccination status and to provide evidence that they have received the vaccine, however any proof of vaccination is on a voluntary basis.
The purpose of collecting this information is to enable Young Hunter to comply with its HSWA obligations, and to ensure compliance with this policy. The outbreak continues to evolve, and this information will help inform future decisions around controls used to reduce transmission. The information will also be used to monitor and assess the risk of exposure to, and transmission of, COVID-19 in our workplace.
Young Hunter employees are not required disclose their vaccination status, however, any information disclosed to us will be handled in accordance with our obligations under the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020.
Prospective Employees
Effective from the date of this policy, it is no longer a requirement of employment for prospective employees is confirmation that the prospective employee has been vaccinated or has appointments booked to be fully vaccinated prior to the commencement of their employment.
Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine
Young Hunter strongly encourages everyone who can to be vaccinated, so as to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 within the workplace and wider community.
Young Hunter is committed to supporting everyone to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine by:
1. Providing timely and accurate information about COVID-19 vaccinations to help you make informed decisions;
2. Actively promoting the vaccines that are recommended by the Ministry of Health;
3. Requiring everyone to comply with this Policy; and
4. Allowing you to attend vaccination appointments during work hours without loss of pay.
We also encourage you to seek your own independent medical advice about the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving it.
Review dates
This policy is subject to change and will be regularly reviewed having regard to new information provided by the Ministry of Health, the New Zealand Government and best practices during the current traffic light system.
For the avoidance of doubt, Young Hunter will review this policy no later than 29 July 2022, and ongoing reviews will continue as the environment within which Young Hunter operates continues to change. All reviews will be communicated to staff in advance of the review, and staff are encouraged to provide feedback on this policy as and when they see fit.
Relevant Legislation:
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccintaions) Order 2021
Employment Relations Act 2000
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Privacy Act 2020
Covid -19 Public Health Response (Vaccination Assessment Tool) Regulations 2021
