More and more people can be vaccinated against Covid-19.  From the point of view of workers the time slot for receiving the vaccination may be during working hours.

Vaccination is voluntary and that is why employers are not obligated to give workers paid time off for the time it takes to get vaccinated. The right to such time off is applicable only to obligatory vaccinations. 

Nevertheless, there are no impediments to employers treating vaccination as a justified absence with pay.

If an employer does not elect to offer this solution, an employee is obligated to work off the time it takes to get the vaccination to be able to retain the right to receive pay for this time. The employee should first receive the employer’s consent to leave the workplace for personal reasons. If an employer does not give an employee time off, then the employee may utilize his or her recreational leave or unpaid leave. 

An employee is obliged to notify the employer of the reason and expected duration of the absence, if the reason for the absence is known or foreseeable in advance. 

For organizational reasons an employer may issue internal regulations to specify the rules for giving time off and justifying absences caused by vaccination. 

If an employer supports the vaccination program, one cannot rule out the possibility of offering additional days off work for the purpose of vaccination and for time after receiving the vaccination.  

Find more in the PRO HR May 2021.