Lite n’ Easy makes jabs compulsory for staff

A Brisbane-based meal delivery giant has become the latest company to mandate vaccinations for thousands of staff in a move it says will help protect vulnerable customers.

Meal delivery giant Lite n’ Easy has become the latest company to mandate vaccinations for its staff in a move it says will help protect vulnerable customers.

The Brisbane-based company, which has grown to become a $210m operation over the past 35 years, joins Qantas, Telstra and SPC in requiring all 2000 staff and contractors to get the jab.

Lite n’ Easy chief executive Dennis Stark said health officials were becoming increasingly concerned about the potential impact of Covid-19 transmission on essential food deliveries.

“Tens of thousands of Australians, including vulnerable aged care and NDIS recipients, rely on our daily delivery service,” said Mr Stark.

The company had a duty of care to continue to provide a safe workplace and guarantee delivery to thousands of vulnerable customers.

He said the company was working on a plan to ensure adequate time frames were in place for all its staff to get their first and second doses before full vaccination would be required as a prerequisite for working at Lite n’ Easy.

Lite n' Easy's CEO Dennis Stark Picture: Liam Kidston.

“If a worker is not vaccinated or does not have a medical contraindication form they will not be able to work on site at Lite n’ Easy,” said Mr Stark.

Qantas in August ordered its frontline workers to get the jab before November 15 or leave the aviation industry while Telstra last month said it would force 8300 workers to be fully vaccinated with potential ‘‘medical retirement’’ for anyone who declines the jab.

Most companies are still taking a softly, softly approach to compulsory vaccinations amid concerns they could face legal challenges and be accused of impinging on people’s rights.

But there is growing acceptance they may have to be used as a last resort to ensure 80 per cent of Australia’s population is fully vaccinated – the threshold needed to end lockdowns and start living with the virus.

Lite n’ Easy’s Mr Stark said the company was falling into line with the increasing number of government vaccination mandates.

About a million authorised workers across Victoria will need to have had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine by October 15 to keep working on site. Authorised workers include funeral directors, personal trainers, police, paramedics and retail staff.

“We are following the lead of experts in the health and medical space,” said Mr Stark, adding the company allow for personal leave for staff to receive their first and second dose.

The company has started communicating the new policy to its staff and the initial reaction had been positive, said Mr Stark.

Lite n’ Easy is seeking 200 new employees after investing about $80m in the business over the past 18 months, reflecting a general increase in business within the healthy meal delivery service sector.