Tasmanian industry groups say state businesses are keenly aware of customer expectations regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and are actively encouraging front-facing workers to get the jab.
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Master Builders Association Tasmania chief executive Matthew Pollock said its members were actively promoting vaccinations and for their workforce to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
"That is definitely the position that the major contractors are taking," he said.
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"We know from the restrictions that have been put in place in other jurisdictions that not being vaccinated really does preclude people from working, particularly within an occupied residence.
"If we were to see COVID in the community here, I wouldn't expect the government to treat that situation any differently."
Rex Airlines on Tuesday announced it would require its workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Rex deputy chairman John Sharp said government tended to lag behind industry and respond.
"There was time some months ago where we tried to get the government to set in place a mechanism, but realised that's not going to happen," he said.
"So we thought 'blow it, let's do it ourselves and see what happens'."
Mr Sharp said he expected vaccination requirements would extend to other industries in time.
"Other airlines and other companies have done it," he said.
"We've even seen it in the medical industry, where doctors decided they'd have their own regulations.
"I think a lot of companies will just go ahead and do it. We're seeing it in countries overseas.
"You'll see more and more of this as time goes by."
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said businesses had yielded to social media pressure at times over the pandemic, particularly regarding social distancing measures last year during the first phase of the pandemic.
"I would be surprised if this didn't happen with vaccination too," he said.
"I suspect that the community will expect the vaccination of staff at certain businesses that are not currently mandated.
"This may well become a marketing opportunity."
Small Business Council of Tasmania executive officer Robert Mallett warned small businesses against taking the MONA approach and requiring mandatory vaccinations of employees.
He said this could potentially cause them to be tied up before the Fair Work Commission - a risk that businesses could afford to take.
Mr Mallett said the vast majority of those in customer service he had spoken with were happy to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, even those who had previously expressed reticence.
He said a culture of a workplace in the small business sector could foster encouragement of employees to receive a vaccination without the need for it to be mandatorily required.
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Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
