The head of hardware giant a small number of employees plan to quit over opposition to vaccination as major employers such as BHP and News Corp begin to roll out vaccine mandates for their staff.
Bunnings’ managing director Mike Schneider said that while the response from staff towards getting vaccinated had been overwhelmingly positive,the business had started to see some workers quit due to state government requirements that they get the jab.
“We’ve already had a very small number of team members here in Melbourne who’ve indicated that they’re going to leave Bunnings,” he said. “And we’ve heard the same from some of our trade customers with subcontractors and such that aren’t prepared to get vaccinated.”
Mr Schneider said the issue of mandatory vaccines was tricky,but if Victorian employees don't meet the requiring authorised workers to be vaccinated by November 26,then those workers will not legally be able to work with the business.
“What we’re not going out there and saying is:‘If you don’t have the vaccination by the 26th of November,you’re fired’,” he said.
Meanwhile,a number of other companies are embarking on their own mandatory vaccination programs. In an email to staff,News Corp chief executive Michael Miller noted that any employee in NSW or Victoria who was unable to work remotely would be required to get vaccinated due to state health directions.
Mining giant today it would require employees to be fully vaccinated by no later than January 31 to access all sites and offices.