The father of a McDonald's employee who will allegedly be sacked from a south-east Queensland branch in two weeks because she is not vaccinated says the company is blackmailing staff into getting the jab.
The worker at the Yarrabilba McDonald's, south-west of Brisbane, will lose her job in a fortnight's time.
But the company said the move was part of its responsibility to prevent further lockdowns, that it was acting as per government directions, and that it had an obligation to prioritise the health of employees and customers.
The man's claims come as vaccinated people are to benefit from more freedoms when borders re-open.
Pubs, cafes and restaurants, cinemas, theatres and stadiums will be open only to vaccinated people under the government plan from December 17, or when Queensland hits the 80 per cent double dosed target.
The Jimboomba man, who wished to be known only as Stu, said Maccas management contacted his daughter earlier this month, asking what her plans for her COVID-19 vaccination were.
When the 20-year-old replied she was "hesitant", her father said the company told her she could work for a fortnight before losing her job.
She was given the option of resigning or being terminated, and would choose the sack so she had it in writing.
The man said the company was trying to blackmail staff into having the vaccine.
"Where there's risk, you should always have a choice - a choice for your own body," he said.
His daughter was waiting for more data to become available.
"I honestly think it doesn't make sense to me ... It's nothing but coercion, you do as we say, or you're gone."
It is the 20-year-old's first job, and her father said the company would lose a model employee.
In a statement, McDonald's said its plan aimed to reduce the impacts of the pandemic.
"Given the scale of our business and supply chain, we believe McDonald's has a corporate responsibility to do everything we can to help keep the economy open and reduce further lockdowns," a spokesman said.
"Throughout the pandemic, we continue to work closely with the government to prioritise the health and safety of our employees and customers.
"In line with government advice, we are encouraging all eligible employees to receive the vaccine or discuss getting the vaccine with their doctor."
The girl's father said his family was not against the vaccine, but his daughter was waiting for more data.
He said he was worried about his daughter's situation. "She's happy to move on, and she's going to struggle financially," he said.
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