The NewLaw practice’s policy will require all employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated if performing Proximity-related activities outside of the home and also mandate that all visitors to the firm’s premises and events be fully vaccinated.

The policy comes after “extensive consultation” with employees ahead of returning to work, the national firm said in a statement.

One hundred per cent of Proximity’s staff, across its offices in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, are now fully vaccinated, the firm said.

Proximity co-founder and director James Dunn said the health and safety of Proximity’s people, clients, partners, suppliers, and the community is the number one priority for the firm, particularly with restrictions beginning to ease and with individuals moving more freely and returning to in-person work.

“This new policy helps protect our people and those we work and connect with and maximises the safe continuation of our services to clients,” he proclaimed.

“We’ve undertaken a thorough risk assessment including evaluation of the regulatory environment, the health risks and undertaken extensive staff consultation, and we strongly believe that this is the right way forward.”

Proximity noted that it would “regularly review” its vaccination policy so as to ensure that the key objective of minimising risk is being met and that the firm’s broader workplace policies “lead by example in the fight against COVID-19”.

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“This is not a decision we have taken lightly,” Mr Dunn mused.

“It was a decision based on our commitment to health and wellbeing, and we are proud of our policy that does our bit to protect the health of our people, their families, our clients and the communities in which we operate.”

In support of its new workplace policy, Proximity announced it would also be donating $1,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to aid their delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to rural and remote locations in Australia.

“It was extremely important for us to not just to support vaccination in our workplace, but to support it across the broader community,” explained Mr Dunn.

“Donating to RFDS is in-line with one of our key community program goals – assisting First Nation Australians and communities, including those who are most vulnerable. This donation will aid the rollout of the vaccine and COVID-19 related medical support to these vulnerable communities.”

RFDS public relations and stakeholder manager Melissa Perkins added that the firm’s donation would be used to assist both frontline workers and rural communities.

“Proximity’s support will help to keep the Flying Doctor providing vital emergency and primary health services to rural and remote Australia during this pandemic response. It will also support sourcing personal protective equipment supplies so that our communities, patients and front-line staff are protected,” she said.