19.01.2022

Make UK have produced a template Covid-19 Vaccination Policy for companies that wish to encourage their employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and/or ask employees about their vaccination status.

The template policy contains provisions directing employees to official sources of information about Covid-19 vaccines, permitting time off for vaccination appointments during working hours (with an option for such time off to be paid) and setting out the company’s position on vaccine-related sickness absence. 

It acknowledges that vaccination is an individual choice, but flags to employees that certain Government rules do differ depending on an individual’s vaccination status and emphasises that the company expects employees to comply with the rules that apply to them.

One such rule is the requirement for individuals who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate for 10 days if they are identified as close contacts of someone with Covid-19, whereas the fully vaccinated do not have to self-isolate in these circumstances. This rule has been in place since August last year, but various large employers have been in the news recently for removing company sick pay provision for employees who have to self-isolate as contacts where they do not have Covid-19 themselves. 

Employers that have adopted such a measure have cited its benefits both in terms of cost savings but also in encouraging vaccination amongst their workforce. However, depending on the circumstances, there may be potential risks involved, such as indirect discrimination against employees whose reason for refusing vaccination is related to a protected characteristic, or breach of contract if company sick pay is a contractual entitlement. 

If an employer chooses to take this approach to company sick pay provision, this may be referred to in a vaccination policy, but it would also need to be addressed in other relevant documentation such as the company’s sick pay policy.

How we can help

Make UK members and non-members can download our Template Covid-19 Vaccination Policy above.

The employment law and data protection issues that may arise in relation to encouraging vaccination, asking employees about their vaccination status and sick pay for self-isolation are discussed in our Covid-19 FAQs.   

Member companies should speak to their regular adviser if they are considering making any change to their company sick pay provision, or if they require any assistance in introducing a vaccination policy. 

We can also provide advice and assistance to non-members on a consultancy basis – if you would like further information on our services, please call us on 0808 168 5874, or email [email protected].