Australia’s biggest telco, Telstra has announced it plans to mandate the COVID vaccine amongst its workforce

The telco giant plans to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for 8,300 frontline staff.

The mandate though, is in defiance of the Business Council of Australia’s stance that employers should only take this step with the backing of government health orders.

The telco giant stated that it would require about a third of its workforce to be vaccinated, and had commenced a one-week consultation period with staff, unions and partners ahead of what will be one of corporate Australia’s largest mandatory vaccination drives.

Telstra now faces a showdown with unions over the proposal

Telstra boss Andy Penn says that the vaccine requirement would apply to about 8300 workers but not those who could work from home or were outside Australia.

The telco is facing potential legal challenges, however, after chief executive Andy Penn said in a letter to employees that those who refuse the vaccine may be forced into ‘‘medical retirement’’.

Telstra is now the fourth company to mandate Covid-19 vaccinations, joining SPC – which was the first business to force employees to get the jab, as well as major airline Qantas and Australia’s second-biggest private hospital operator, Healthscope.

Virgin Australia, the second largest airline in Australia is still to confirm its vaccine mandate.