Alex Lucifero with CTV News on vaccines in the workplace

Interview Summary

As the province of Ontario receives more COVID-19 vaccines, employees and employers are questioning how health and safety will be implemented in the workplace while abiding by employee rights. Will employers be able to mandate vaccinations? Can an employee refuse to be vaccinated?

Alex Lucifero, an Ottawa employment lawyer and partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joins CTV News with host Patricia Boal to answers these questions and more.

Interview Notes

Can employers force their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine? (00:14)

Generally, employers cannot force employees to be vaccinated as it is considered a human rights violation and privacy rights.

Can an employer stop an employee from coming to work if they don’t get vaccinated? (1:07)

Employers cannot penalize an employee if they are not vaccinated, as there are numerous factors that could prevent an employee from being vaccinated. There are potential exceptions, particularly in the healthcare sector in which employers may be able to enforce mandatory vaccinations.

What rights does an employee have if they don’t want to work with a colleague who refuses to get vaccinated? (2:34)

Employers are obligated to maintain a healthy and safe workplace for all employees and so would have to ensure there are other measures taken such as social distancing, masking, etc. in order to accommodate all staff.