• Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Values
  • What we do
    • HR Support Options
    • HR Solutions >
      • Workplace and Legislative Policies
      • Position Descriptions
    • Workshops and Conferences >
      • STAR staff satisfaction
    • HR Compliance
    • Recruitment
    • Psychometric Testing
  • Blog
  • Untitled
  • Contact Us
HrStaffnStuff | HR Consulting Services Melbourne & Australia
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Values
  • What we do
    • HR Support Options
    • HR Solutions >
      • Workplace and Legislative Policies
      • Position Descriptions
    • Workshops and Conferences >
      • STAR staff satisfaction
    • HR Compliance
    • Recruitment
    • Psychometric Testing
  • Blog
  • Untitled
  • Contact Us

Face Masks – What does it mean for your business?

22/7/2020

0 Comments

 
HR Staff n' Stuff explains the new facemask laws in Victoria and what it means for your business.


​​Face masks will be compulsory for many in Victoria after 11:59 pm on 22 July and it has raised some questions as to what this means for businesses who have employees that are required to attend their workplace.  Let’s take a quick look at what your obligations and considerations are as an employer.

Previously the remit of surgeons and super heroes, face masks will need to be worn by EVERYONE living, working or visiting in metropolitan Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire from Thursday with few exceptions.  The science shows us that face masks will reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 and the hope is that it may help us avoid Stage 4 restrictions.  

As an employer, the key considerations and obligations you have in relation to face masks include:
  • You need to ensure all employees are wearing a face mask unless an exception applies (outlined below).
  • Employees are responsible for providing their own face masks as it is a requirement as per government direction.  If, however you specify the type of mask that you want them to wear at work, you will be responsible for their provision and cost.
  • Face masks do not negate all other Covid-19 safety requirements.  Hand washing, social distancing, spatial requirements within enclosed spaces, working from home requirements and so forth must all be maintained.  

Exceptions to the rule
There are a handful of exceptions that will be accepted for not wearing a face mask.  These include:
  • Individuals affected by a medical condition – problems with breathing, serious skin issues on the face, a disability or mental health condition.
  • Anyone communicating with someone who is hearing impaired and seeing the mouth is vital for communication.
  • Teachers or live broadcasters – relates to the requirement for clear enunciation.
  • Training or competing as a professional sportsperson.
  • Whilst completing exercise that causes one to be out of breath or puffing – e.g running.  Not simply walking!
  • When directed by police.
  • When travelling in a vehicle solo or with members of one’s own household.
  • When consuming food, drink, medication or when smoking.
  • At the dentist or doctor when the procedure required face covering to be removed.
  • When entering a bank.
  • Or during an emergency – this one is a little vague though and we have no further information as to what would constitute an emergency.

Employee Refusal
You just have to peek at social media and you will see that there are plenty of naysayers who see wearing a face mask as an intrusion on their freedom.  They don’t meet any of the exceptions criteria but somehow believe that they are above the law and can potentially risk the safety of your business and that of their colleagues.  You can choose to simply send such an employee home but you will be required to continue paying them, particularly when they are covered by the JobKeeper subsidy.  This doesn’t seem fair when everyone else is playing by the rules but is there any other choice? 

Well yes there is another option.  In fact, you have the right to enact disciplinary action if an employee refuses to wear a face mask.  As an employer you have the right to discipline an employee for failing to follow a lawful and reasonable direction or/as well as for putting the health and safety of their colleagues at risk.  We suggest that if you are facing this situation you contact the HR Staff n’ Stuff team for advice or if you require support to manage such a situation.  Ultimately, you have an obligation to provide a work environment that is safe and free of risks to health and an employee who refuses to practice safe processes should not be tolerated.

If you require more detail regarding the requirement to wear face masks within Victoria, please check out the Department of Health and Human Services website by clicking here.  
Subscribe to our HR Newsletter. No junk, Just the Good Stuff!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    The HR Staff n' Stuff team all contribute to our blogs.  Enjoy the read!

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018

    Categories

    All
    Best Practice
    Business Processes
    Coronavirus
    Employee Behaviour
    Employee Engagement
    Employment Law
    Employment Policies
    Leadership
    Leave Entitlements
    Psychometric Testing
    Recruitment
    Time Management

    RSS Feed

HR Consulting and HR Support services for businesses in Melbourne & across Australia
Call 03 9590 0844
HR Staff n’ Stuff (Aust) Pty Ltd © 2016  | ABN 70 425 372 584 | HR Consultant Melbourne| Privacy Policy

Website by addonsite
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Values
  • What we do
    • HR Support Options
    • HR Solutions >
      • Workplace and Legislative Policies
      • Position Descriptions
    • Workshops and Conferences >
      • STAR staff satisfaction
    • HR Compliance
    • Recruitment
    • Psychometric Testing
  • Blog
  • Untitled
  • Contact Us