New workplace software set to track employees’ Covid vaccinations

An Australia-first tool will soon allow businesses to store workers’ Covid vaccination records and keep track of who has and has not had the jab.

Vaccination-tracking software is set to roll out in Australian companies, allowing employers to keep tabs on worker’s jabs.

It comes as new research shows two-thirds of workers are comfortable with employers storing their vaccination records, but legal experts warn of potential privacy issues.

Created by Melbourne-based tech firm Ento, the Australia-first tool, VaxTrack, is already being configured for workplaces – including in child care, aged care and labour hire.

Ento chief customer officer Ami Price-Gagnon said it had received interest across many industries and states.

“It’s a single tool that lets employees upload proof of vaccination, can block employees from being rostered onto certain shifts if their vaccine requirements are not met, and gives employers visibility of how much of their workplace is vaccinated,” she said.

“We can also set up expiry dates on vaccines (so there is an alert) if booster shots become needed.”

A screenshot of Ento’s VaxTrack feature. Picture: Supplied

The feature is part of Ento’s workforce management platform.

Ms Price-Gagnon said most businesses who had opted in were in child care, aged care and labour hire, but predicted hospitality would soon be added to the list.

“It’s all about enablement so any business that wants greater visibility and control around how employees are rostered are able to take this on,” she said.

Childcare business KidsCo is setting itself up to be an early adopter.

Founder and managing director Adrian Rokman said although vaccines were not yet mandatory in the sector, he expected this would happen soon.

“Everyone is on board with VaxTrack,” he said.

“We have had a few staff members that have already sent through photo evidence they have been vaccinated because they feel so excited about it.”

Mr Rokman predicted Covid-19 vaccination tracking would become the norm for many Australian businesses.

KidsCo will be one of the first businesses using VaxTrack. (Photo taken before mask mandates). Picture: Supplied

A survey of 1000 workers by human resources platform Employment Hero found 67 per cent were comfortable with employers storing vaccination records.

Meanwhile, 14 per cent were uncomfortable with the idea, and this figure jumped to 20 per cent within micro and small businesses.

The legality of asking staff for this information, however, is not clear cut.

Cowell Clarke special counsel Cassie Burfoot said workplace relations laws were being put to the test as Australia’s vaccination rates picked up speed.

“As is often the case with law, there is no simple one-size-fits-all approach – the answer will vary between different industries and occupations,” she said.

“Generally speaking, where it is lawful and reasonable for an employer to direct employees to be vaccinated, such as within a mandated industry, then it may be lawful and reasonable for the employer to request evidence of vaccination.

“However this will still always depend on the circumstances of each case.”

Lawyer Cassie Burfoot says there is no one-size-fits-all approach to privacy laws. Picture: Supplied

Ms Burfoot said privacy considerations would also need to be taken into account.

“For example, if an employer requests a copy of an employee’s vaccination record, such information would be subject to strict rules around collection, use, storage and disclosure,” she said.

“It’s therefore critical that employers seek legal advice before implementing any workforce policies around vaccination.”

Maurice Blackburn principal Giri Sivaraman, head of the employment law department in Queensland, agreed both workers and employers must be aware of privacy rights before any requests for vaccination information.

“Employers can only get (access to vaccination records) if you consent and it is necessary,” he said.

“There are exemptions if there are imminent dangers for health and safety, and you may be able to argue that’s relevant here.

“It’s definitely (a question that’s) coming up.”