What Employers Need to Know: Duty of Care and Vaccine Directives Post-Tribunal Decision

In a recent landmark decision by the South Australian Employment Tribunal, the Department of Child Protection (DCP) has been ordered to compensate a youth worker, for pericarditis developed after receiving a Covid booster as mandated by workplace directives. Despite the DCP’s argument that the injury resulted from compliance with a Public Health Order rather than employment conditions, the Tribunal found the employer liable, emphasising the role of employment as a significant contributing cause.

For this matter, the human rights lawyer highlighted the importance of this ruling in setting a precedent for employer accountability for vaccine-related injuries incurred at work.