December 8, 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Hunter’s Hill Council is signalling its commitment to the health of its workforce and community, with staff supporting mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees.
Following a period of consultation across the organisation, all staff, contractors, work experience participants and volunteers will, from 4 January 2022, need to meet vaccination requirements.
Medically exempt staff will be considered on an individual basis to determine if a safe working environment can be provided to all Council workers.
If an individual refuses vaccination, Council will meet with that person to discuss next steps.
Council workers have been advised of the outcome, which followed consultation with the workforce.
Acting General Manager Nick Tobin said as well as working closely with staff and union representatives, collaboration with neighbouring councils was undertaken in developing a policy to support the vaccination decision.
“Our Council is in the unique position where 100 per cent of our existing employees have had a least one vaccination and 98 per cent are double vaccinated,” he said.
“Our people are very supportive of our COVID Workplace Policy and its requirement for mandatory vaccination.
“We have conducted an extensive consultation process where it was agreed that moving forward, Council would only consider fully vaccinated workers to ensure the safety of our employees and our community.”
Union organisations have supported the Council’s decision to implement mandatory vaccination for its workforce.
United Services Union representative Zoe O’Rourke said a policy developed in consultation with workers to support their health and well-being was welcome.
“Council working with its employees during the consultation process, as well as supporting staff to be vaccinated and to gain information on what is best for them, has been key to achieving this outcome,” she said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jacqui Jones, Communications Officer. Phone: (02) 9879 9400 Email: jonesj@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
22 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill NSW 2110
PO Box 21, Hunters Hill NSW 2110
Tel: (02) 9879 9400
E: customerservice@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
ABN: 75 570 316 011
We acknowledge that The Wallumedegal people of the Eora Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this land.
