Similar to Coles’ mandatory vaccinations for its staff, Woolworths has issued a blanket ruling that its entire workforce must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
In response to the rise of COVID-19 cases in Australia, some of the country’s largest retailers have announced that they will require almost 300,000 workers to get vaccinations. The company’s goal was to keep stores open while protecting the staff from getting sick.
The mandate covers staff working in the group’s 1200 retail outlets and its large distribution centres.
Wesfarmers has no plans to make it mandatory for new employees to be vaccinated, despite managing director Rob Scott saying that it would be required for existing ones.
The full vaccination requirement will be made mandatory in NSW, Victoria, Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania.
Wesfarmers said that while the company had a responsibility to make its workplaces as safe as possible, it would also encourage states to lift their COVID-19 restrictions.
We take the safety of our team members very seriously, and we are committed to providing them with the best possible work environment.
With more people being able to circulate freely in Victoria, NSW, and Australia, there’s a higher risk of COVID cases being reported in stores.
Coles said the group was helping authorities keep the public safe.
Coles staff in Australia must have received two doses of the measles vaccine by December 17.
Aldi said it would require its employees to get vaccinations.
Aldi said that the company believes that vaccinations for employees are the best way to ensure the safety and welfare of its team members.
The SDA, which represents workers in the retail industry, has requested that rapid antigen testing be considered as another tool to safeguard workers. The union also sought assurances that procedures are in place to handle cases involving medical exemptions.
Woolworths is Australia’s largest food retailer. The company operates 1000 large-scale grocery stores. The company said it would consider any issues regarding how employees would meet the requirement.
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