Recent News

Ask a Question
Home > Unfair Dismissal > Dismiss me? Pending Court Cases Over Mandatory Vaccination

Dismiss me? Pending Court Cases Over Mandatory Vaccination

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Dismiss-me?-Pending-Court-Cases-Over-Mandatory-Vaccination
Vaccination and the ability to work is in the media everyday, can you be dismissed is hotly debated

Dismiss me? Pending Court Cases Over Mandatory Vaccination

As of the mid April 2022, the issue of vaccination is still controversial. Possible it will never be resolved. Lets briefly revisit the debate and seed what we have lean’t so far.

Can they dismiss me?

We are getting numerous calls daily as to whether employees have to be vaccinated. Its not for us at A Whole New Approach to decide what’s best for you. Other than I’m indicating listen to the science. However even this is being debated. I’m surprised how many new scientist that have evolved since the COVID-19 crisis has started. “Dismiss me? Pending Court Cases Over Mandatory Vaccination”. Lets now answer the question without the emotion.

What does the Government and The Courts Say

Dismiss me?, what’s the Govt, and courts say. The Australian Government has mandated the vaccination of residential aged care workers and hence, being vaccinated against COVID-19 becomes a condition of work. Or “inherent requirement” of the role.  Accordingly, state government-mandated vaccination requirements for certain roles or industries, would have the same effect of determining that a COVID-19 vaccination is an inherent requirement of the role. For instance, the New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) Governments have announced that COVID-19 vaccinations are mandatory for health care workers. They must have received at least one dose by 30 September 2021, unless an exemption applies.

Dismiss me?

If an employee refuses to be vaccinated in accordance with the federal and state government-mandated vaccination requirement, the employer will have grounds to dismiss the employee. They cannot perform the inherent requirements of the role. If the employee cannot be vaccinated due to medical or other reasons, which constitutes a disability for the purposes of anti-discrimination laws.  They can also likely be dismissed, provided there are no reasonable adjustments that the employer could make that would enable the employee with the disability, to continue their employment.[1] 

employee-rights-not-be-dismissed
Many non vaccinated employees feel they have lost their rights to work. But 95% of the population have voted to get vaccinated, by being vaccinated. They have rights to feel safe. Its all being played out in the courts and the tribunals, presently the unvaccinated are losing.

Public Health Orders and dismissals

As it currently stands, the Public Health Orders are enacted under delegated legislation provisions, which are contained within each State’s respective Public Health Act.  Delegated (also known as subordinate) legislation is legislation made not directly by an Act of the Parliament, but under the authority of an Act of the Parliament. Consequently, a number of employee are challenging the rationality and legality of a vaccine mandate in the NSW Supreme Court. QLD Supreme Court and Queensland Industrial Relations Commissions (QIRC).

The common thread amongst these disputes is that employees claim that Parliament would not have intended to give the Health Minister “the powers to breach bodily integrity” without clear legislative indication. These numerous cases are currently pending in the state courts. Many people are eagerly awaiting a determination or outcome of these court actions, due to their opposing view on these mandates.

This then begs the question, can I ask my employer to hold off on executing these mandates, in hope of them being rendered invalid by the pending court actions? The answer to this question in short is no. These court actions, although pending, have not yet rendered the current mandates invalid or illegal. Thus, even if there is a pending action which attempts to challenge the validity of such mandates, it is in essence only pending and we should not hold our breaths.

Dismiss-me?-Pending-Court-Cases-Ove- Mandatory-Vaccination
These are difficult untested times, your health matters, so is having a job. Im seeing some seriously good / important careers go don’t the toilet over all this.

Your employer reserves the right and is obligated to enforce the mandates

Your employer reserves the right and is obligated to enforce the mandates as they currently stand. Regardless of the potential of them being rendered invalid. When an employer makes the tough decision to terminate an employee for refusing the jab. The employer has to look to what the laws and mandates are at the current time. What is in the mind of the decision maker, is a highly important factor when establishing a valid reason for dismissal and as it currently stands, these mandates are valid.

With this being said, if your employer terminates your employment and in the event these mandates happen to be rendered invalid, you can always reapply for your job or reinstatement through an unfair dismissal claim.

The purpose of the unfair dismissal provisions

This is to establish a framework for dealing with unfair dismissal that balances the needs of business (including small businesses) and the needs of employees, to establish procedures which are quick, flexible and informal. Address the needs of employers and employees and to provide remedies where a dismissal is found to be unfair, with an emphasis on reinstatement. If these mandates are rendered invalid, then the valid reason for the dismissal is rendered invalid and the dismissal may be rendered harsh, unjust or unreasonable.

If this is the case, the employee can lodge an Unfair Dismissal claim (Form F2), with the Fair work Commission, within 21 days after the termination takes effect and the Commission may allow a further period for lodgment in exceptional circumstances. This means if you are outside the 21 days but the reason for the delay is the pending court action which rendered the mandates and thus dismissal invalid, then there may be an exception granted.

fair-work-Australia-dismissal-claim
Fair work Australia (FWC) is overwhelmed with various claims relating to vaccinations, consultation disagreements, unfair dismissal type arguments

Fair work Commission will set the matter down for a conciliation conference

Once an application is lodged, the Fair work Commission will set the matter down for a conciliation conference. A private proceeding conducted by an independent conciliator. This conference is an informal method of resolving an Unfair Dismissal dispute in which an independent conciliator will assist the parties in exploring options for resolution. Help them to reach an agreement without the need for a formal hearing or court proceedings.

If the only reason for your dismissal is the vaccination, it is arguably that the trust and confidence in the relationship may not be broken and so reinstatement may be a viable option. In the alternative, an employee may be awarded compensation for the unfair dismissal itself.

Nevertheless, nothing is stopping an employee from reapplying for their job if a COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required. It is strongly encouraged however, that people do not hold onto the hope or faith that this requirement will magically disappear. Or be overruled. Everyone has the choice as to whether they get vaccinated or not. In the same way, your employer has the choice to terminate or refuse to hire, unvaccinated employees.

Dismiss me?, can they do it?

It is increasingly evident that proof of vaccination is becoming a condition or requirement for employment. This is even in the absence of mandates.

Dismiss me? Pending Court Cases Over Mandatory Vaccination, the topic is controversial and emotional for many. I understand that, these are crazy times for us all. Questions about dismiss me? A Whole New Approach are not lawyers, what we are is the nations leading workplace advisors. AWNA are happy to give you advice on unfair dismissals, general protections. Any of your personal circumstances in these difficult times, advice is free.

Termination of employment, diversity in the workplace, orders to stop bullying or sexual harassment. All Fair work Australia and Fair work Commission issues, all employment rights issues, give us a call. Call today on 1800 333 666. We work in all states, Victoria, NSW, QLD, WA, SA, Tas, NT

Articles on “Dismiss me? Pending Court Cases Over Mandatory Vaccination”

Pandemic rights and the workplace that may interest you

Unusual abandonment of employment cases

Billioniares and unfair dismissals

[1] DDA s.21(A).

More to explore

Boss-telling-a-pregnant-employee-off
Unfair Dismissal

Dismissed for pregnancy or maternity leave

Discover real-life cases of pregnancy-related dismissal in the workplace. From Mecca Cosmetica’s legal battle to widespread discrimination, learn about your rights and how to take action. If you’ve faced unfair dismissal due to pregnancy or maternity leave, we shed light on your options. Knowledge is power! 💪🤰

employee-asleep-overworkered
Employee Rights

What Does it Mean to Disconnect from Work

Your employee rights explained outside work hours In a recent proposed change to the Fair Work Act 2009, employees will be protected against employers trying

Employer-looking-at-their-profits.
Unfair Dismissal

Billionaire and unfair dismissals

Discover the truth behind billionaire business practices and their impact on dismissed workers. Explore recent cases, employee rights, and the role of the Fair Work Commission. Dive into the world of unfair dismissals and workplace justice.

Female-employee-making-false-accusations
Unfair Dismissal

Falsely accused at work: 3 crazy cases

Unmasking Workplace Injustice: Shocking Cases of False Accusations. We share shocking cases of false accusations at work that led to devastating consequences for employees

Employee-being-flicked-out-the-door
Unfair Dismissal

4 huge Vic unfair dismissal payouts

Victorian unfair dismissals: 4 times workers won big Victorian unfair dismissal payouts have in recent years regularly been amongst the highest in the country. In

    whole
    Get In Touch

     

    Unfair Dismissals Australia is an industry leader. We strictly represent employees regarding issues to do with fair work. We are available 7 days a week.