The CSIRO Staff Association supports vaccination for protection against COVID-19.
Vaccines currently approved for use in Australia are safe, effective and are being deployed in accordance with expert health advice.
CSIRO employees should be encouraged – including through the provision of paid time and leave – to access vaccinations.
We continue to meet regularly with CSIRO’s Situation Management Team (SMT) as part of the organisation’s workforce response to coronavirus, including the ongoing review and maintenance of site-specific Covid-safe plans.
While it may be appropriate to mandate vaccinations in some limited circumstances, this should be made based on public health advice and only after genuine consultation with employees.
In response to advocacy from Staff Association representatives in April 2021, management have confirmed that CSIRO staff will be able to use paid time to obtain a Covid vaccination, rather than being forced to access their own leave entitlements.
Advice from CSIRO’s SMT states that ‘consistent with ensuring our people are supported as much as possible, staff members will not be required to take leave, including reasonable travel time, to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.’
Our Covid working group of members and delegates provides timely and proactive advice to Staff Association officials and to better represent issues and concerns when making representations to CSIRO management.
Members who require advice or assistance regarding vaccination or any other issue are encouraged to contact the Staff Association, speak to an organiser or their local Health and Safety Representative.