Firms urged to find balance

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Jon Apted. Picture: FILE

Employers must always try to accommodate an employee’s wish not to be vaccinated, as long as the worker does not pose any risk to anyone in the work premises.

This, according to Suva employment lawyer Jon Apted.

Responding to The Fiji Times questions yesterday, Mr Apted said the Government and human rights bodies could provide information to help employers and workers make decisions related to vaccination.

They could do this, he said, by issuing “simple, easily understood guidelines and official scientific information that employers can use to make their decisions”.

“We have to remember that when we talk about employers, we are not just talking about big businesses. We are talking about everyone who employs someone else.

“This would include those of us who employ domestic help.

“Many people are voluntarily getting vaccinated so the issue will arise only for those who decline.

“I stress though that the employer must always do its best to accommodate anyone who objects to vaccination, if the employer reasonably can.

“However, of course, new legal issues like this one may ultimately have to be decided by the courts.”

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