The termination of a long-serving firefighter who refused to disclose his COVID-19 vaccination status while on annual leave has been ruled unfair, with a commission finding his employer embarked on a "well-worn disciplinary path" without carefully considering his correspondence on the issue.
UK researchers have emphasised the need for protective wellbeing strategies for remote workers, after finding working from home increases the likelihood of engaging in unhealthy alcohol and tobacco consumption, and physical health and mental wellbeing deteriorating, particularity in younger people.
The National Cabinet's decision to scrap mandatory isolation requirements for COVID-19 cases will help businesses maintain or increase workforce numbers, but will also require them to maintain stringent health and safety practices to stop the spread of the coronavirus, according to peak employer bodies.
A commission has found a worker should not have been summarily sacked for breaching her employer's face mask rules for the COVID-19 pandemic, because her misconduct, when interacting with clients, was not wilful or deliberate.
A major UK study of COVID-19 vaccination rates has uncovered a concerning phenomenon: many occupations involving direct contact with members of the public or vulnerable people have low vaccination rates, while the rate is high among employees who can work from home.
The National Cabinet's agreement to reduce isolation periods for positive COVID-19 cases has been followed by the easing of work-related restrictions, including work-from-home rules, in several jurisdictions. One of these states has also clarified its ongoing WHS notification requirements for the pandemic.
By implementing the most effective psychosocial, organisational and environmental interventions created during the COVID-19 pandemic, a study has highlighted that organisations can continue to support employee wellbeing and reap the benefits of lower absenteeism and improved productivity.
