Athletes and employee rights to refusing vaccination

Interview Summary

Many high-profile athletes in recent weeks have announced that they are unvaccinated and wish to remain so. While this has led to suspensions and questions about their rights in regards to future employment, it is not a concern relegated to simply professional athletes and public figures. What can regular employees who refuse to be vaccinated expect from their employers?

Fiona Martyn, a Toronto employment lawyer and Associate at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP spoke with CBC News Toronto on employee rights regarding vaccination.

Interview Notes

“Our firm has heard from hundreds of employees across the country who have been told by their employer they will be terminated or be put on unpaid leave if they’re not vaccinated,” says Martyn.

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Fiona goes on to explain the importance of government legislation for employees and employers.  “Unless the federal or provincial government has mandated vaccines in a particular area of work, employees are entitled to severance.”