There is generally no legal requirement for employers to provide employees with paid time off to attend their vaccination appointments. However, the ACAS guidance suggests that this could be an effective means of encouraging employees to be vaccinated, and we expect that the majority of larger employers will offer paid time off for that reason as this will overall be to their benefit.

ACAS also suggests that employers pay staff their usual rate of pay if they are off sick with vaccine side effects, instead of Statutory Sick Pay. This can be reflected in the vaccination policy, but optional wording can also be included allowing the employer to put a cap on the amount of paid time off for vaccine-related illness.

Further, ACAS also recommends that vaccine-related absences do not count in absence records or towards HR trigger points.

For more information, please contact Irina Polyakova on 01484 821 300 or at irinapolyakova@eatonsmith.co.uk

A vaccination policy encouraging employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Several COVID-19 vaccines have now been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and vaccination is recommended by public health authorities as a safe and effective way to reduce the chance of suffering from COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is continually changing and government advice is being updated as the situation develops.

We have created a document which sets out a voluntary COVID-19 vaccination policy for employers who wish to encourage staff to be vaccinated; it does not contain provisions for mandatory vaccination.

Each employer is recommended to adapt the policy document to reflect the nature of its workplace, the industry in which it operates, and the outcome of its COVID risk assessment.

The standard document is designed for use together with an employer's health and safety policy and any other COVID-19 specific protocols. It’s for employers that wish to encourage and, if desired, provide potential incentives for their workforce to get vaccinated. The policy will apply to all staff, including contractors and volunteers, as well as to employees, in order to limit transmission risk. The policy can be part of the overall COVID-19 secure steps to ensure safe working, but is not a substitute for other measures.

If you would like a copy of the vaccination or any other policy, please get in touch.