Goldman Sachs UK staff under pressure to reveal vaccine status
Goldman Sachs has sent a memo to its UK staff that “strongly encouraged” them to report their Covid-19 vaccination status, ahead of a return to the office.
The investment bank has has been conducting a voluntary survey amongst staff based at its Plumtree Court headquarters in London since the end of May, when employees were told they should be ready to return to offices by June 14.
“There is increasing evidence that vaccination significantly reduces infection risk,” the memo, first reported by Financial News, said.
“Therefore, the vaccination uptake rate for our PTC [Plumtree Court, European headquarters] population is an important health and safety metric in the design of health and safety protocols,” the memo continued. “To assist the firm’s health and safety planning, you are strongly encouraged to complete this survey on your vaccination status.”
While UK staff are not mandated to reveal their vaccination status and can respond anonymously to the survey, the bank went a step further in the United States by ordering employees to disclose whether they’d been vaccinated by noon on Thursday. Previously, it had been voluntary for US staff to report whether or not they’d had the jab.
As it stands, businesses in the UK are legally able to ask employees about their vaccination status, subject to data collection requirements, but have no legal right to demand an employee is vaccinated.
“No jab, no job could be a dangerous approach for employers to take,” said Kate Hindmarch, partner in employment law at Langleys Solicitors.
“There is not enough evidence to suggest taking the vaccine makes everyone’s working environment safe,” Hindmarch adds. “If an employer tries to force their employees to receive the jab or decides not to hire someone based on their refusal to get the jab, it could be result in employment claims, for unfair dismissal and/or discrimination.”