Our updated COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

We are committed to doing everything we can to enable a safe working environment and prioritising the safety of our people. As part of this commitment, from 19 April 2022, we are updating our policy that was originally implemented 1 November 2021 relating to vaccination against COVID-19 at Russell McVeagh.
 
For the time being we have decided to retain having a COVID-19 Vaccination policy and will continue to monitor the Government guidelines. From 19 April 2022, only those people who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or who have had a negative rapid antigen test within the prior 48 hours will be able to come into our offices or attend firm events. This policy applies to both Auckland and Wellington offices.
 
We recently surveyed our people on an anonymous basis and with a high response rate (79% of our people), the large majority support continuing to have a COVID-19 Vaccination policy. We carefully considered all feedback received as part of the survey results as well as latest Government guidelines when updating our COVID-19 Vaccination policy, and we will continue to review our approach to our policy.

Our Board and partners strongly support vaccination as an important step to help New Zealand progress towards reducing the risk of COVID-19 in our communities and enabling all of us to live and operate in a safer, more open environment and economy.

Fundamental to our approach are our values, and that includes respecting an individual's freedom of choice regarding whether to get vaccinated or not. There are some in our firm and in the wider community who are currently uncertain about vaccination, do not wish to get vaccinated, or are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons. Therefore we want to encourage people to advise us of their vaccination status before they enter our offices, so we are able to proactively manage any potential risks for all concerned. In these circumstances, we will discuss through what our policy means and the right approach to take for the wellbeing of all involved.
 
We acknowledge that our policy won't answer every possible scenario, but we believe it is the right path at the present time to keep our people safe at work. Navigating our way through COVID-19 in the workplace will require communication, trust and respect. We know there will continue to be disruption for all of us.

Guidance on the legal and business implications of COVID-19

Please see our COVID-19 resources hub to help you navigate the legal and business implications of COVID-19.