Just 4% of employees remain unvaccinated in Singapore. Nevertheless, this amounts to 113,000 employees who have yet to take their vaccinations. In an MOM advisory on COVID-19 vaccination, employers are required to ensure that their employees are vaccinated before they can return to the workplace from 1 Jan 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the advisory, the \u201curgency to be able to sustain business activities as much as possible\u201d was highlighted. With the chance of getting COVID-19 far higher today, unvaccinated employees will potentially put immense strain on Singapore\u2019s healthcare system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides being vaccinated, employees who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 270 days will also be considered in the same group as those who are vaccinated. They can return to the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employees who are unvaccinated \u2013 whether by choice or because they are medically ineligible \u2013 have to return a negative Pre-Event Test (PET) result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both ART and PCR tests can be used as a Pre-Event Test. However, the validity of a result is only 24 hours. Do note that it might not be logical to take a PCR as it may take up to 48 hours for test results to be returned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This does not also tackle the virtually impossible constraint of employees having to take a PET every day, as the validity is only for 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can view the list of approved PCR<\/a> and ART<\/a> test providers on the MOH website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: Pre-Event Testing (PET): How Much Does it Cost and Which Businesses Need to Implement it?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the advisory, it is explicitly stated that the unvaccinated employee has to bear the cost of the PET.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MOM advisory states that \u201cif termination of employment is due to employees\u2019 inability to be at the workplace\u201d to perform their work, then such termination would not be considered wrongful dismissal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For workers who cannot perform their work from home<\/strong>, employers can allow them to continue with PET at their own cost and time. Employers can also choose to redeploy them, and are empowered to change remuneration to be commensurate with their new responsibilities. Employers can also place such employees on no-pay leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For workers who can work from home<\/strong>, employers can allow them to continue their work-from-home arrangement at your own prerogative. This seems to suggest that employers can reject this arrangement \u2013 and thus terminate them at their discretion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MOM advisory also provides a clue to the intended future work arrangements, as it states that \u201cthe vast majority of vaccinated employees (will) eventually return to the workplace more frequently\u201d. It also notes that prolonged absence of unvaccinated employees from the workplace may affect their individual performance as well as negative impact team or organisational performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MOM advisory also states that employees who are unable to be vaccination due to medical reasons may be exempted from the measures from 1 January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, employers can allow them to work from home. This should not affect their performance assessment. The MOM advisory also empower employers to redeploy them to other roles more suitable for work-from-home (even though they can be exempted from the measures) and adjust their remuneration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another special consideration should be provided to pregnant employees. Even though pregnant women are also strongly encouraged to be vaccinated, employers should consider allowing them to work from home or redeploy them to other roles and adjust their remuneration if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n#3 Unvaccinated Employees Have To Pay For The Costs Of The Pre-Event Test (PET)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#4 Employers Can Fire Employees Who Are Not Vaccinated<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#5 Medically Ineligible Employees May Be Exempted From Workforce Vaccination Measures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#6 Companies Can Check Employees Vaccination Status Via New Web Service<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n