With changes to vaccination requirements coming next week, the government has published updated advice for employers.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
In line with the decisions announced last week, vaccine requirements for employees will from Tuesday morning be removed for education, police and defence workforces and businesses operating vaccine passes.
Requirements to use the passes for indoor dining will also drop.
The new advice covers what employers could do if mandates no longer apply to their workforce, if they had created their own requirement that had not yet come into force, future hiring, and advice for employees.
In a statement, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood said the new guidance - available on the Employment and Worksafe websites - was based on public health advice, and he expected the use of vaccine requirements in most settings would become more limited.
"With our high vaccination rates and the immunity acquired from the current outbreak, we can manage future waves of Omicron with less restrictive settings," he said.
"Employers should regularly review their workplace health and safety risk assessments and there are a number of public health factors outlined in the guidance that is recommended they consider as part of this process."
"It is important that employers feel supported during this time of transition. That's why we have taken the time to develop comprehensive guidance, backed by public health advice that is reliable for employers."
Vaccine requirements will continue for some health, aged care, corrections, border and MIQ roles, but the government is seeking further advice on whether they could be narrowed in health, for example.
"It is also important to remember that the majority of New Zealand workplaces have not had a vaccination requirement in place and have managed well over this period," Wood said.
He thanked employers for adapting and responding to the changing environment.
The government's Vaccination Assessment Tool was also being reviewed and would either be amended or revoked, Wood said, and advised businesses using the tool to instead wait for the review.