Goodstart Early Learning, which required its staff to get a flu shot, sacked one of their Educators for refusing to get vaccinated.
The Educator was working as a lead educator for Goodstart in Gladstone, Queensland, where she had been an employee since 2006.
She claimed to the Fair Work Commission she had been unfairly fired when she was sacked from the childcare chain in August last year after she refused to get a flu vaccination because she had a “conscientious objection” and was attempting to legally claim her job back.
The Educator said to have suffered migraines after a previous flu shot and have a “sensitive” immune system and was the reason for her refusal, however medical evidence did not show she had a valid exemption.
The Educator who said she led a “chemical-free life” and had treated autoimmune conditions with the help of dieticians and naturopaths, refused the vaccination. She repeatedly wrote to Goodstart outlining her concerns.
However, Andrew Lingwood, a doctor who gave evidence to the commission said people with chronic conditions should get vaccinated because they may otherwise be more susceptible to influenza.
"It is my professional medical opinion there is no evidence of a medical barrier..." Dr Lingwood said.
Fair Work Commission deputy president Nicholas Lake dismissed the case and unfortunately the Educator did not reclaim her job back.
Goodstart introduced its vaccine policy in April 2020, when the coronavirus was at its peak and medical authorities were telling childcare centres to make sure staff and children were vaccinated.
Reference:
Childcare Worker Sacked For Refusing Flu Vaccine Loses Legal Appeal, The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 April 2021
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