Companies begin drafting ‘no jab, no job’ contracts to force staff to get Covid vaccinations despite lawyers warning they are ‘risky’ and likely to be challenged in court
- ‘No jab no job’ contracts are being drafted by companies in the care home sector
- The move may mean prospective and current workers need to have jab for work
- Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said yesterday that it was ‘up to businesses’
- The Government has so far said it has no plans to introduce a passport scheme
Companies have begun drafting ‘no jab, no job’ contracts to force staff to get Covid-19 vaccinations despite lawyers warning they are ‘risky’ and likely to be challenged.
Bosses in the care home sector as well as large international groups including an energy firm are making arrangements, top lawyers warned.
The move could mean both prospective and current employees would need to have the coronavirus vaccine to work at an organisation.
Asked about businesses who introduce a scheme, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said it was ‘up to them’.
The Government has so far said it has no plans to introduce a passport scheme, with Mr Zahawi previously describing their use as ‘wrong’ and ‘discriminatory’.
Bosses in the care home sector as well as large international groups including an energy firm are making arrangements, top lawyers warned (file photo)
Barchester Healthcare, based in London and with more than 200 care homes, said applicants refusing to have a jab without medical reasons would not be hired.
Pimlico Plumbers also said it would have a ‘no jab, no job’ attitude towards new workers, the FT reports.
The newspaper spoke to law firms – which refused to be named – which said some companies were already looking at getting current employees vaccinated.
A lawyer in the City of London said putting clauses in contracts to force people to be jabbed was risky but easier to defend in the care sector to protect patients.
Another said some multinational companies – such as a large energy firm – are considering the idea.
Mr Zahawi said yesterday that the Government was ‘not planning a domestic passport’.
He told BBC Breakfast: ‘It’s up to businesses what they do, but we don’t yet have the evidence of the effect of vaccines on transmission.’
Downing Street slapped down Dominic Raab on Sunday after the Foreign Secretary suggested documents could be required before going into shops.
Mr Zahawi told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme yesterday: ‘It’s a combination of rapid testing as well as the mass vaccination programme that will get our economy back on its feet and venues open again.’