Calls are growing for workers to be given "vax leave" in a bid to encourage people to get the COVID-19 jab as quickly as possible.
Unions NSW said the state ought to be leading the way by providing all NSW Government employees with a half-day of vaccination leave.
"Gladys Berejiklian can get the ball rolling today. She can instruct all department heads to provide a half-day of paid 'vax leave' to the one in ten NSW workers who are employed by her Government," Mark Morey, Secretary of Unions NSW, said.
The Federal Government also needed to step up and fund vaccination leave for casual and contract workers, he added.
"Every barrier and impediment to vaccination must be removed as soon as possible," Mr Morey said.
"There are many things slowing the vaccine rollout, but one element is the cost of missing work, especially for people who are insecurely employed and on modest incomes.
"It was revealed this week that only one-third of employees in aged care have been vaccinated. And the current Sydney outbreak stems back to an unvaccinated Bondi limousine airport driver.
"Rather than blaming these workers, perhaps it's time to make it easier and more attractive to get vaccinated.
"That would give true meaning to the idea that 'we are all in this together.'"
According to FairWork Australia, employees aren't able to use sick leave to take time off work to get vaccinated.
This is because sick leave is only for staff members who can't work because they are unwell or injured.
Currently, employers don't need to pay for workers to be vaccinated because vaccination isn't mandatory for most employees and most workplaces, FairWork Australia says.
However, if an employer does require its workers to be vaccinated, as is the case for some health care workers and possibly in future aged care workers, the employer should cover an employee's travel costs.
The employer should also allow for time off work without a loss of pay if the vaccination appointment is during work hours.
FairWork Australia recommends workers ask their employers if they can make other flexible arrangements to allow them to get vaccinated.
These could include taking annual or unpaid leave, changing a shift time or working from home to help fit in a vaccination appointment.
