The Ministry of Social Development has begun to sack up to 220 unvaccinated staff despite receiving advice to pause terminations. 

Yesterday, the Public Service Commission told public agencies to stop the termination of unvaccinated staff given the recent High Court ruling that vaccine mandates for the police and defence force were unlawful 

But Ministry for Social Development (MSD) worker Lynda, who did not want her last name used, says she received her termination letter today. 

Lynda who was an Administration Officer working the Ashburton and Rangiora regions told Newstalk ZB's Andrew Dickens she said she has worked a "fair bit" from home. 

"I had gone to the office in between lockdown and things but as a medically vulnerable person I've worked from home as much as possible." 

Lynda has mucormycosis and multiple allergies including allergies towards certain drugs. 

She said the reason her contract with MSD was terminated was that she was a "danger to people" because she was unvaccinated. 

Lynda, who is currently not working in a front-facing role, said she mainly deals with contractors on site. However, she said she has dealt with them remotely in the past. 

Melissa Gill, deputy chief executive of Organisational Assurance and Communication, confirmed today final decisions will be made around the employment of the 220 unvaccinated staff. However, not all will result in termination. 

"The PSC advised public sector agencies that this decision was a timely reminder that health and safety risk assessments should be reviewed on a regular basis, endorsing the approach we have taken in relation to our policy. 

"We've made the decision to proceed after considering advice about the recent High Court decision and the PSC guidance. We've confirmed that our process addresses the relevant legal requirements. 

As far as she knew, Lynda believes MSD has not reviewed their vaccination policy since late last year, despite advice received yesterday. 

"You do wonder what's happening, to be honest a lot of experience will be lost by the ministry and lots of skilled and kind empathetic people." 

Gill said the ministry is going through the next steps in implementing their Vaccination Policy. 

On January 10, a vaccination mandate was put in place for all staff. 

MSD introduced its Covid-19 vaccination policy in mid-December, giving staff three months to get vaccinated or face termination. It is an internal policy rather than a Government mandate. 

"MSD provides critical services to large numbers of New Zealanders, many of whom are vulnerable, and any disruption to these services that may arise from employees contracting Covid-19 directly impacts the wellbeing of clients. Our clients are not required to be vaccinated to enter our sites," Gills said. 

Looking down the track, Lynda said she will have to go onto a benefit but will finish her psychology degree. 

"I'd rather have public money spent on my wages so I can assist the public instead of being someone that's assisted by the public." 

On Tuesday last week, the Herald reported MSD had paused terminations while it considered a High Court ruling against Covid-19 vaccine mandates last month. 

This week, unvaccinated staff told the Herald that they had now been called to meetings to discuss their future at the ministry. 

They were told by MSD leadership that it had considered advice on the court ruling – which said a vaccine mandate for police and defence force staff was an unjustified incursion into their rights – and had confirmed its vaccine policy was legally sound. 

Unvaccinated staff at the Ministry of Social Development have protested about the blanket policy for vaccination that requires staff to have the vaccine even if they are able to work from home and never come into contact with others. 

Gill said the ministry constantly reviews advice from health officials in considering its health and safety risk assessment around Covid-19, including its impact on its Covid-19 vaccination policy. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has indicated that Government vaccine mandates – which cover health, education, Corrections and others – will be scrapped when they are no longer needed. 

A deadline has not been set, but Ardern has said that the strictest Covid settings will be eased after the Omicron peak.