If I catch COVID-19 at work what are my rights? A law expert explains
Curious to know what your rights as an Australian employee are if you catch COVID-19 in the course of employment? University of Technology Sydney professor of law, Joellen Riley Munton, investigates in this cross-posting from The Conversation.
The transition to “living with COVID” makes contracting the virus at work a distinct possibility, even with high vaccination rates.
Your employer has a duty of care to maintain a safe workplace “as far as is reasonably practicable”. This is an obligation both in common law as well as a statutory duty under work health and safety (WHS) legislation enacted by states and territories.
In terms of COVID-19, these obligations require employers to take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace. This includes procedures that promote social distancing, hygiene and more cleaning; a plan to respond to any possible transmission; and following government health orders.
