Mandatory vaccine policies in Ontario are becoming more common as companies and schools look ahead to getting back to normal. In fact, some companies and universities have already put vaccination policies in place for returning staff members.

An odd collection of Ontario employers — includingSeneca College,University of Toronto,Western University,uOttawa,Filmores Gentleman's Cluband accounting firmCrowe Soberman LLPare among the places requiring (with some exemptions) employees get vaccinated before returning to work.

As we prepare for a safe return to campus this fall,#UofThas announced a vaccination requirement for students, staff, faculty and librarians that is informed by the latest public health guidance.

Here are some answers to your top questions about U of T's vaccine requirement:pic.twitter.com/2JEPO56afu

— University of Toronto (@UofT)August 12, 2021

Filmores managerKasper Cameron told the Toronto Starthat all staff have received double vaccinations and they decided to introduce the policy because he believes the strip club industry is already subject to unfair scrutiny, so they wanted to go beyond what is already required.

#COVID19Update: All# WesternU,@kingsatwestern,@huronatwestern,@BresciaUCstudents, staff and faculty who plan to be on campus this fall will be required to demonstrate proof of vaccination.https://t.co/X60P7YXMgh

— Western University (@WesternU)August 11, 2021

Seneca College statedthey needed a policy to protect the health and safety of their community from the spread of COVID-19.

"Seneca is requiring that individuals be vaccinated as a condition to come on campus and to live, work or attend student residence,"states the policy.

TheGlobe and Mail reportsthat Toronto law firmBales Beall LLP, mortgage platform捏财政服务局land accounting firmCrowe Soberman LLPare requiring staff be vaccinated.

Workplaces like@SenecaCollege, law firm Bales Beall LLP, mortgage platform@PinchFinancialand accounting firm@CroweSobermanare requiring staff to be fully vaccinated to enter their physical work space.
https://t.co/6YDrYbPyJw

— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail)August 9, 2021

Unlike the United States, where large companies such asDisney can require vaccination, Canada doesn’t have such laws in place yet.

Although, Prime Minister Justin Trudeausaid he is consideringmaking vaccines mandatory for federal government staff and could pass a law requiring shots for employees who work in industries regulated by Ottawa.

For now, employers are looking for advice and making their own choices.

Workplaces have a duty to keep employees safe,employment lawyer Norm Keithtold Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.

If@ongovwaits for higher case # to translate into hospitalizations, it will happen.

保持我们的经济开放和医院照顾the non-COVID backlog, vaccines should be required for public-facing public sector workers & an official vax verification system deployed ASAP.https://t.co/22PyyXcMP8

— Michael Warner (@drmwarner)August 10, 2021

Under theOccupational Health and Safety Act, employers in Ontario have "tremendously high legal obligations to keep workers and third parties that interact with our employees safe," he said. Employers must take every "precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers."

But that doesn't make the decision clear-cut.

Mandatory vaccines for federally regulated sectors would require legislative changes, Sara Slinn, Osgoode Hall Law School’s associate deantold the Globe and Mail.

"It's certainly a dilemma for employers. I would imagine most employers would prefer that their workers be vaccinated," Slinn said.

Some federal workers may be required to get COVID-19 vaccine, Trudeau sayshttps://t.co/IUoYi0Pqyvpic.twitter.com/kbGcN3lQSy

— CP24 (@CP24)August 5, 2021

TheCanadian Civil Liberties Associationsuggests there are privacy concerns around workplaces demanding to know employees' vaccination status.

However, in places such as long-term care homes and hospitals, "it's probably going to be easier to justify that than in an office" with physical distancing,Cara Zwibel, association’s director of Fundamental Freedoms Program told CBC.