Jon Pinkus on COVID-19 vaccine etiquette in the workplace

Interview Summary

As the number of vaccinated individuals across the province increases, many residents have also begun to question vaccine etiquette. Where do privacy rights factor into questions regarding vaccination? Will employers be able to ask employees if they have been vaccinated?

Jon Pinkus, an employment lawyer and Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joins CityNews to discuss employee’s rights to privacy as well as the health and safety of the workplace.

Interview Notes

Can an employer ask an employee if they have been vaccinated?

An employer is within their rights to ask an employee of their vaccination status if it pertains to necessary accommodations in the workplace. Employers cannot and should not use an employee’s vaccination status to penalize the employee or terminate their employment. Penalizing an employee for refusing to be vaccinated can be considered a potential human rights violation.

Learn More
• Lior Samfiru on COVID-19 vaccines and employee rights
• COVID-19 vaccines: What can an employer demand in Canada?

Is there a need for guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination etiquette?

As there is no previous precedent for vaccination, there are no set guidelines for the current situation. The government might have to implement how workplaces can navigate the coming months for employees who have been vaccinated as well as those who have not.