CBA, Westpac, BOQ mandate jabs but not ANZ and NAB
COMMONWEALTH Bank, Westpac and Bank of Queensland are the latest major employers to require staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19, but Melbourne-based banks NAB and ANZ say they have no plans to bring in mandatory jabs for their thousands of staff, even as Covid-19 cases surge in Victoria.
Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and Bank of Queensland told staff of their vaccination mandates this week, saying they were needed to protect both workers and customers from Covid-19.
Westpac chief executive Peter King said the health and safety of employees and customers was the lender’s top priority as Covid cases in the community are expected to rise as restrictions are eased.
More than 3800 Westpac staff had been forced to isolate and more than 280 branches had closed and reopened since the NSW outbreak began in June, he revealed.
“It is clear that the best way to keep our people safe and stay open for our customers is for people to be vaccinated,” Mr King said.
The lender will use a phased approach to bring in its mandate, with all employees entering a Westpac workplace in NSW, Victoria and the ACT required to be fully vaccinated by December 1. All employees in other states will be required to be fully vaccinated to attend a workplace by February 1 next year.
CBA is also requiring all staff to be jabbed against Covid-19 and, like Westpac, is taking a phased approach.
Bank of Queensland said all of its staff, working across BOQ, Virgin Money and ME Bank, would have to be vaccinated to get entry into the workplace.
The new mandates come after fruit and vegetable supplier SPC, Qantas, BHP, Telstra, PWC and CSL all brought in mandatory vaccination policies for their staff.
National Australia Bank and ANZ have not yet mandated vaccines for employees.
NAB group executive for people and culture Susan Ferrier said that the bank was strongly encouraging staff to get vaccinated.