COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Category: COVID-19 Emergency Management

Effective Date: December 1, 2022

Policy Statement

The health and safety of TPL employees is a priority. TPL is committed to taking every reasonable precaution in the circumstances for the protection of the health and safety of staff from the hazard of COVID-19. Vaccination is a key element in the protection of TPL employees against COVID-19.

This Policy is designed to maximize COVID-19 vaccination rates at TPL workplaces as one of the critical control measures for the hazard of COVID-19. To this end, TPL staff and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health.

Background and Current Situation

Toronto Public Health supports employers in developing and maintaining policies that encourage and support employees getting vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are widely available and appointments to obtain vaccinations can be made at City-run immunization clinics, doctors' offices, hospitals and pharmacies.

Application

This policy applies to all TPL employees and volunteers. For the purposes of this policy only, "employees" shall be read to include volunteers.

Support for Vaccinations

TPL's Vaccination of Staff during Work Hours policy supports employees in obtaining their COVID-19 vaccinations. If operationally feasible and with the permission of their immediate supervisor, TPL employees can be released on work time to be vaccinated under the terms and conditions outlined in the policy.

Continued Compliance with all Health and Safety Precautions

Unless a legislated or regulatory exemption applies, all TPL employees are expected and required to comply with applicable workplace COVID-19 health and safety measures.

Responsibilities

All levels of management are responsible for the administration of this Policy.

Managers are expected to:

Employees are expected to:

Ongoing Monitoring and Assessment of COVID-19 Workplace Safety Measures

TPL will continue to closely monitor its COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy to ensure that it continues to optimally protect the health and safety of employees in the workplace and the public that they serve. To that end, and in consultation with Toronto Public Health and occupational health and safety experts, TPL will continue to assess the need for other available workplace risk mitigation measures, including, but not limited to, policies that mandate mask wearing, vaccination, contact tracing, etc., as necessary.

If it is determined that additional precautions are necessary, TPL may decide to deploy new measures to protect employees and the public from COVID-19, and will amend this policy accordingly.