Stefanie Yuen Thio quoted in ST “Firms take new vaccination rule at workplaces in stride” and BT “No jab, no job; companies can also let go of unvaccinated staff as last resort”

On 25 and 26 October 2021, TSMP Law Corporation joint managing partner Stefanie Yuen Thio was quoted in a Straits Times article and a Business Times article on the new advisory that staff can only return to work on premises if vaccinated from 01 January 2022. 

Stefanie said that all but one of our staff are fully vaccinated. She added “We will bear the cost of the test and give time off to take it if the staff member has medical reasons that (he or she) cannot be vaccinated.”

She commented that the updated advisory sets out what she believes is the “right position at law”.

She said “If unvaccinated staffers cannot do the full scope of their work, or cannot produce as efficiently, then it’s right that their performance rating reflects this,” and she added “You should not terminate someone’s employment simply because they are not vaccinated. But if they are unable to perform optimally due to this purely personal choice, then it’s not wrong to have that reflected in their work reviews.”

She also said “a lot of people pay the price” for an employee who refuses to get vaccinated without valid medical excuse, as they are more likely to exhibit severe symptoms from Covid-19 and this could increase the strain on the healthcare system. “In addition, as a business person and a tax payer, I’m concerned that the continued number of severe cases is stalling the opening of the economy, and I also wonder if our tax dollars should provide subsidised healthcare for those who wilfully refuse to be vaccinated.”