Craig Cooper: Labour lights 'no jab, no job' fire and walks away

Labour has lit a "no jab, no job" fire within the health and education sectors and walked away.

Thousands of Hawke's Bay teachers and health workers have been left wondering "how the heck is this going to work?".

The Government says hundreds of thousands of education and health staff - including teachers, GPs, pharmacists and nurses - will need to be fully vaccinated by January 1 or face losing their jobs.

Based on France's recent experience, vaccine rates are going to surge, and people are going to protest.

France worked the mandate into law and ended up suspending 3000 health workers who did not comply.

However, the mandate and a Covid passport that gives privilege to vaccinated people has made France one of the world's "most vaccinated" countries.

Registered nurse Sue Halliday injects Renae Burridge with her first dose of the the Covid 19 vaccine at Taradale Club, Napier. Photo / Warren Buckland

Labour's Monday announcement was shy on detail on whether non-compliant workers will be sacked, laid off, or paid out etc.

The vaccinated are wondering what happens to non-vaccinated workmates.
For some non-vaccinated, the mandate will be a red legal rag to a bull.

It raises privacy and employment issues.

For others, it's a matter of "get the vaccine and get on board".

Most of the region's teachers are on holiday at the moment - something Labour would have observed when making the announcement.

By the time teachers return to work, there should be more detail announced, and less sideways glances in the lunchroom.

If an employer was to introduce a vaccine mandate rule, without government backing, it would face multiple employment law barriers.

If an employee felt forced to quit, they may allege constructive dismissal.

But when the employer is following a government mandate, who do you allege constructive dismissal against?

An employer will argue it is the government.

Will employers have to offer alternative work, to a non-compliant worker?

In schools and childcare centres, especially smaller operations, this will be nigh on impossible.

Labour has the option of creating law that allows, like France, the suspension of workers.

Or alternatively, the equivalent of a swift, clean restructure process.

Under the latter, would people be offered some form of compensation?

More money from the Government kitty, but money well spent.

The higher the vaccination rate, the less time spent trapped in the viral groundhog day of Covid-19.

There is also no denying, that good employers try to get through a restructure process or potential job loss proposal with some dignity and respect for all the affected parties.

It seems Labour have given that away - anti-vaxxers are now the enemy.

Get ready for the battle.

• Craig Cooper is the editor of Hawke's Bay Today.