HR firms favour encouraging, not mandating vaccines for staff

They say vaccination is a personal decision, and employers mandating it could be legally liable for side effects. Landlords debating issue with tenants

Sharon See

Published Thu, Jul 1, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Covid-19

Singapore

AS Singapore's vaccination efforts ramp up, one question homes in on the role employers can play. While the legal question is not clear-cut, it is better to encourage but not mandate vaccination for staff, human resources (HR) consultants say.

A high vaccination rate would help Singapore enter the new normal - which is good news for businesses too, said Neil Narale, partner and health leader at Mercer Singapore.

It is a hot topic among employers and the HR community now, he said. "In fact, employers are mostly discussing best practices they can adopt when their staff go for vaccination such as additional time off, or flexibility in work arrangements on the day of their vaccinations."

Yvonne Teo, ADP's vice-president for HR in the Asia-Pacific, said: "From an employer's perspective, advantages include increasing deployment for front-line roles and expediting office re-opening, as well as business travel wherever possible.…