[Ireland] Dealing with ‘anti-vaxxers’ in the workplace

Last week a story broke about anti-vaxxers handing out flyers containing misinformation at a vaccination centre in Craigavon and intimidating some centre attendees, The Irish News reports.

It was only one example of the more extreme opinions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Some claim the deadly pandemic is a hoax, others repeat conspiracy theories and many people hold strong views about vaccines in general or the requirement to wear a mask.

According to a legal expert from The Irish News, there are several potential ways these opinions could manifest in the workplace. The most obvious is that an employee might simply refuse to be vaccinated. So employers must deal with what this decision means for the health and safety of colleagues or customers.

Of significant concern for employers are employees who vocalise ‘anti-vaxxer’ beliefs in the workplace or share them outside the workplace on social media. This could cause distress, particularly where other employees or their families and loved ones have been bereaved or otherwise impacted by COVID-19.

Last week a story broke about anti-vaxxers handing out flyers containing misinformation at a vaccination centre in Craigavon and intimidating some centre attendees, The Irish News reports.

It was only one example of the more extreme opinions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Some claim the deadly pandemic is a hoax, others repeat conspiracy theories and many people hold strong views about vaccines in general or the requirement to wear a mask.

According to a legal expert from The Irish News, there are several potential ways these opinions could manifest in the workplace. The most obvious is that an employee might simply refuse to be vaccinated. So employers must deal with what this decision means for the health and safety of colleagues or customers.

Of significant concern for employers are employees who vocalise ‘anti-vaxxer’ beliefs in the workplace or share them outside the workplace on social media. This could cause distress, particularly where other employees or their families and loved ones have been bereaved or otherwise impacted by COVID-19.