Unvaccinated civil servants may face disciplinary action, termination

Federal civil servants who fail to complete their Covid-19 vaccinations will be subject to disciplinary action or termination of service when the new policy on the immunisation of civil servants is implemented from Nov 1.

The matter was stated in the Service Circular No 4/ 2021 on the Covid-19 Immunisation Implementation Policy for Federal Public Service Officers.

Signed by Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman, it said officers could be instructed to complete their vaccination from that date.

“On or after Nov 1, 2021, if any officer fails to comply with the head of department’s instructions, this may result in disciplinary action or termination of service,” according to the circular which was uploaded on the PSD website yesterday.

Meanwhile, officers who cannot complete their Covid-19 vaccinations due to health factors could be instructed to undergo a medical check-up with a registered medical practitioner.

They may also be instructed by the head of department to undergo a Covid-19 test if they have been confirmed unfit to receive the vaccination for health reasons.

“Officers are responsible for obtaining complete Covid-19 immunisation as prescribed by the government. This is to ensure a safe work environment and service delivery, as well as public service productivity of an optimal level,” read the circular.

It noted that heads of department can also at any time order officers who have not completed their Covid-19 vaccine doses to undergo a health examination to determine their health status.

They are also allowed to use appropriate methods to manage officers who have not completed their vaccination including instructing them to undergo Covid-19 screening at their own expenses.

However, the government will pay the cost of Covid-19 tests for those who are not eligible for vaccination due to health reasons.

All civil servants are subject to the provisions under Clause (2) of Article 132 of the Federal Constitution and are bound by the letter of undertaking that they signed under sub-regulation 20 (3) of the Public Officers (Appointment, Promotion and Termination of Service) Regulations 2012 [PU (A) 1/2012].

The PSD in a statement on Sept 30 announced that all federal civil servants were required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before Nov 1.