By Alesha Capone
Twenty-two Wyndham council staff have either had their employment terminated or resigned due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19, without a valid medical exemption.
A Wyndham council spokesperson said that during October 2021, the state government, under Chief Health Officer directions, mandated that all council workers must be double vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The state government orders stated that all local government workers must be fully vaccinated (or exempted) to work outside their ordinary place of residence and at council premises,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said this meant that only fully vaccinated or exempted workers were permitted to enter or remain on council premises for work purposes.
“Council engaged with 22 staff over a lengthy period, however after failing to provide evidence they were exempt or had since been vaccinated as required, those staff have either resigned or had their employment terminated,” the spokesperson said on Friday, February 18.
During November and December 2021, the council sent letters to its employees, stating that they were required to abide by the state government’s orders that all local government staff must be double-vaccinated against coronavirus.
The spokesperson said that a final “show cause” letter was sent to 22 unvaccinated staff members in mid-January.
As well, the spokesperson said the council “has followed a rigorous process and provided all unvaccinated employees with ample opportunity to either get vaccinated or provide evidence of a medical exemption”.
All of Wyndham’s councillors except one, Marcel Mahfoud, have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Councillor Mahfoud haf previously stated that he would continue carrying out his council duties in a virtual capacity – such as attending council meetings via online platforms such as Zoom, rather than in person – until he was able to receive a Novavax vaccine.
However, on February 10, Cr Mahfoud said that he has been granted a medical exemption from being vaccinated against COVID-19, and was now able to perform all his councillor duties.
“Victorian councillors are not included in the current vaccination mandate,” he said.
“It is incredibly difficult to compare why some people will lose their jobs and why others won’t, however I can only rely on the state government directions.”
