April 2023

Many organisations have started to review and adjust their COVID-19 settings in response to the removal of government COVID-19 requirements for vaccination and self-isolation, and high levels of vaccination in the community. We are also experiencing lower numbers of COVID-19 cases amongst our workers and less transmission in the workplace.

On 9 February 2023, a survey was opened to all Society employees to help us understand how you feel if we were to remove the current mandatory vaccination requirements for workers. The survey was actively promoted via email and Workplace, and it remained open for 3 weeks.

Survey results

Below is a summary of the survey results.

• There were 306 responses to the survey.
• Respondents were strongly in favour of positive COVID-19 cases staying away from Vinnies workplaces for a minimum of 5 days and until symptom free.
• 75% of employees surveyed, reported being comfortable with a proposed removal of the mandate for vaccination.
• 45% of the employees who responded reported having regular close contact with people we assist (PWA) who may be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
• Of the employees who reported having regular close contact with PWA who may be at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, just over half feel that we should maintain mandatory vaccination requirements in their work areas as a risk control to help minimise the onward spread of COVID-19.

Updated COVID-19 Settings

The Executive Leadership Team discussed the survey results and possible changes to our COVID-19 risk controls recently. Below is a summary of the decisions made.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

Vaccination is no longer required for workers who do not have regular close contact with vulnerable PWA (e.g., CEFC and enabling services).  Mandatory vaccination requirements will be maintained for all workers in Vinnies Services and MVRO (including members).

COVID-19 Positive Case Reporting

We will continue to require workers to report positive COVID cases to their people leader and for these to be reported using the COVID-19 Reporting tool. This will allow us to continue to monitor COVID numbers and identify workplace exposures.

Staying away from Vinnies Workplaces if COVID-19 positive

Workers who are COVID-19 positive will continue to be asked to stay away from Vinnies workplaces for a minimum of 5 day or until symptom free.

COVID-19 Special Leave Provisions

Special leave provisions will continue to be available to employees who are unable to work from home while COVID positive if they contracted COVID-19 from a workplace exposure. In other situations, employees will use sick leave.

Employees who become seriously unwell or suffer long-COVID as a result of a workplace exposure are able to make a claim for workers compensation.

Standard COVID-19 Precautions

We will continue to promote a set of standard COVID precautions including strong encouragement to:

• Keep your vaccinations up to date – both COVID-19 and flu
• Stay at home if you are unwell – get tested and notify your manager if COVID positive
• Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms
• Wash your hands often
• Practice good cough etiquette.

​​​​​​​Ongoing concerns