Business

Can a boss force employees to get the jab?

Published

2 years ago

September 13, 2021

Costa Haritos

Eighteen months ago, entire cities were shut down as people were told to stay-at-home to prevent a deadly spread of coronavirus

Can a boss force employees to get the jab?

Fast forward to 2021, and over 5 billion have received a COVID-19 vaccination.

Now, as people shift from their working at home lifestyle and back into their offices, companies are mandating the vaccine for their workers.

In this image for the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, shoppers walk out of a Walmart store in Waldorf, Md., May 7, 2021. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has not cited the nation’s largest retailer despite employee complaints, illnesses and deaths at Walmart facilities across the country. The company says there is no proof that employees contracted COVID-19 at work. (Brittany N. Gaddy/University of Maryland via AP)

Google, Disney and Walmart are among a growing list of companies that are mandating the COVID vaccine for their staff.

There are some exceptions for people with medical or religious reasons.

The aviation sector is also preparing to take-off again, and staff at United and Qantas will be subject to a vaccine before they take to the skies.

2020 research from Germany shows about half of all residents are in favor, and half are against, a mandatory vaccination policy.

Meanwhile, a University of Sydney study from earlier this year shows up to 75 percent of Australians would support a government requirement to be vaccinated to work, travel or study

Ian Neil is an Australian barrister, who says there’s a fine line for businesses who are thinking about mandating the vaccine.

As controversial as it may seem, Ian believe the legal arguments stack up.

With people lining up to get vaccinated, and aching to return to life as we once knew it, it seems like more companies will begin heading in the same direction.

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Costa Haritos

Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.

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Business

When will airfares begin to fall?

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2023

ticker NEWS

As the global aviation market rebounds, airlines are changing their service offerings

Over 46 million workers in the global aviation sector lost their jobs as global aviation came to a grinding halt at the onset of the pandemic.

However, Geoffrey Thomas from AirlineRatings.com said passengers have returned to airport terminals and boarded flights in droves.

“When travelled returned, many of us wondered what sort of low airfares will we have to be charged to entice people back onto airplanes.”

In February 2023, total traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometres) rose 55.5 per cent when compared to February 2022.

Globally, traffic is at 84.9 per cent of February 2019 levels.

“It was a stampede, the likes of which we have never seen before,” Mr Thomas said.

Business

The worst of inflation could be behind us

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2023

ticker NEWS

The unprecedented nature of the pandemic continue to shape international fiscal policy

As reserve banks and federal reserves continue to battle the impacts of Covid-19, inflation has become a dominate issue.

In some parts of the world, rising household costs have slowed consumer spending by more than expected.

It means the end of aggressive rate hikes could come to an end in a matter of months.

In Australia, recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed inflation has passed its peak and is beginning to moderate.

The numbers show annual inflation peaked in December 2022 but will still remain higher for longer than anticipated.

Matt Grudnoff is a Senior Economist at The Australia Institute, who said these are uncharted waters.

“I don’t think they should be fully blamed.

“The pandemic was an entirely different kind of recession, one that we have never seen before.

“The world went into recession because the world shut down for very good health reasons.

“But the economy rebounded extremely quickly, simply because there was no underlying problem with the economy,” he said.

Business

“I think there is a great risk”: will AI steal our jobs?

Published

2 days ago

May 31, 2023

ticker NEWS

Artificial Intelligence has become an increasingly powerful and pervasive force in our modern world.

Artificial intelligence is not a new concept. However, the growing advancements have the potential to revolutionise industries, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of life.

Along with its promising advancements, artificial intelligence also brings certain risks and challenges that must be acknowledged and addressed.

It has become the focus of lawmakers, who are working towards greater regulation of the sector.

U.S. and European Union officials recently met in Sweden to weigh up the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

“The AI process is creeping up on us,” said Dr Keith Suter, who is a global futurist.

“You’ve got competition between companies.”

It’s almost like some of us can see this raft that’s heading towards the rapids and a disappearance towards the waterfall, and we’re giving a warning but it’s not being heeded because everybody’s in this race to get down to the river,” Dr Suter said.