Employers in Australia are firing unvaccinated workers

How many employers in Australia have dismissed workers for refusing to get the COVID-19 jab? 

Nearly one in three, according to a survey from the Australian HR Institute. Meanwhile, three in five companies admit that the vaccination status of a job candidate could influence the organisations' hiring decisions.

The results suggest, having a "no jab, no job" policy in place can create a real impact on the livelihood of those who are unwilling, or unable, to receive the COVID vaccine.

Of the 760 firms polled by AIHR, about 60% or roughly three in five have made COVID vaccination compulsory. The majority of which (76%) has required all staff members to get the jab, while a fraction has required only specific groups to be immunised.

What's even more telling is how most workers (85%) – at companies with compulsory vaxx policies – have become more open to getting the jab. The trend leaves unvaxxed or antivaxxer colleagues in the minority.

This, in effect, creates a rift between certain segments of the workforce, leading to tension in the workplace, said Sarah McCann-Bartlett, CEO of AIHR.

The "vaccination conversation" between the vaxxed and unvaxxed, she said, has resulted in "a bit of a culture split" between employees.

"Employers are really quite worried about that because workplace culture is so important," McCann-Bartlett said.

"You will have two different groups of employees, [some of whom] are perhaps not demonstrating the values and behaviours of the organisation."