A new study has shown that 70 per cent of Australian casual workers would be more likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it were recommended by their employer.
The research by shift-based workforce intelligence provider, Humanforce, also revealed that the vast majority of casual workers (71 per cent) think that employers have the right to as their workers to be vaccinated.
However, only 29.6 per cent of these casual staff worked for employers who had said that being vaccinated would be a requirement to secure shifts in the future.
Clayton Pyne, Founder and Managing Director of Humanforce, said that there has been a lot of discussion about whether workplaces should make it mandatory for staff to be vaccinated.
“Many employer groups have publicly advocated for businesses to be able to direct staff towards being vaccinated to help avoid future outbreaks and workplace disruptions, and most casual workers are clearly supportive of this, which is a positive finding for safe work places and business continuity in 2021.”
Sixty-seven per cent of casual workers indicated that they had been concerned for their health in the workplace during the pandemic. Interestingly, 79 per cent of the casual workers surveyed said that they would prefer it if their colleagues were vaccinated, but just 64 per cent said they would get the vaccine themselves.
Twenty-four per cent said they were undecided about receiving the vaccine and 12 per cent said they had no intention of getting it.
“It’s very apparent that casual workers are concerned about COVID-19 and their health at work, and that they expect their employers to step in and take charge of protecting them and others while in the workplace,” added Pyne.