As the coronavirus invades the Earth, getting a vaccination and following SOPs has become a need. It took some time to get a proper vaccination for the virus. However, the vaccination is still not in its final stage because new variants are appearing continuously.
Therefore, following the safety precautions is inevitable.
Although we are coming back to our normal life routines but the virus is still present. That is why governments are making it mandatory for everyone to get the vaccination. So if you want to move out of your home, you need to be vaccinated. A number of countries have made it necessary for their citizens to get vaccination cards or certificates. If someone wants to travel, he will need to show his vaccination card to get the ticket.
Likewise, it is mandatory for students to bring their vaccination cards or certificates.
Otherwise, they won’t be allowed to sit in the class. Similarly, it is also a necessary thing for office workers.
Although this has become mandatory but is it all we can do? Because a lot of people think that making such things mandatory is not the right thing to do. People are worried about their rights and why do they need to provide their information. Be sure to visit this website stichtingcoronaonderzoek.nl to get more detail about these things.
The question, for now, is what the privacy rights are for an employee.
It is only right for you to know about things that concern your privacy. Therefore, some common concerns among employees include;
1. Why do I need to disclose my vaccination status?
Although disclosing information about your private matters is for you to decide. However, this is not the case for all the countries and all the companies of a country. So even if there are no legal regulations regarding private matters, the companies might have some.
For example, your employer might have this rule to know whether you are dating or not.
However, not all companies ask for this detail. So if someone is asking for this information, this means that their job can be affected by this thing. Just like actors and idols. Their relationship status can seriously affect their career growth.
However, vaccination is necessary for everyone. If you are not vaccinated and accidentally get infected with the virus, you are a risk for everyone around you. You are not safe anymore but also posing a great deal of danger for others too. Therefore, getting vaccination is not only for you but for others too.
Therefore, there is nothing wrong with asking you for your certificate. This is not at all invading your privacy. Any employer can ask you whether you are vaccinated or not. This is not for yourself but for others too.
However, you do not have to tell everyone if you don’t want to. You only need to tell your employer or the relevant department. If this is a job requirement, then you have to tell them. If not, it is not mandatory.
2. What if I cannot disclose this information?
There is nothing wrong with telling someone that you are vaccinated or not. However, if there is something that concerns your privacy and you are hesitant to disclose your covid information, there are legal regulations for that. It comes under sensitive information, which is a part of the Privacy Act. Therefore, if there is no way out, you can ask the organization not to disclose your personal information. Otherwise, you can make use of the privacy act and not tell them.
3. Can you ask your employer about the purpose?
Of course, you can. If something is related to yourself and your privacy, you have complete control over it. You can choose who to tell and not. However, if the employer states that this information is mandatory, you can ask why. The employer should provide you with the following information;
• The purpose of information collection
• What will be the consequences that you have to face in case you do not want to disclose that information
• Whether the information is a legal requirement or not
• If someone else can get access to your personal information or not. If yes, then who.
4. Who is exempted from providing the detailed information?
Of course, there are people who are exempted from providing such information. These people include politicians and some others whose information should be kept hidden. It is only enough to know if they are vaccinated or not. No need to know which vaccination they have used and when.
However, you are not exempted from it if you are an employer or an employee or a contractor. If you are a contractor and you are applying for getting a contract for a job, you still need to provide information that is needed.
5. Are you still under the privacy act after you disclose your information?
This depends on the employer and the organization. If you want them to keep your information hidden, you must ask them for it. If possible sign a privacy agreement with them. This will come under the privacy act and no one can disclose your private information without your consent. However, if there is no agreement beforehand, then you cannot ask them afterward.
6. Can you take any legal action if someone misuses your private information?
Asking someone to keep your private information private is the first thing that you need to do. If someone goes against it, you can take any possible action against them.
For example, you provided your personal information to the company but come across someone who knows it. Now you know that someone has access to it. Furthermore, if you find that someone is misusing the information, you can contact the higher authorities.
If they are unable to resolve the matter, you can take legal action against them through the privacy act.
