// Ikea has cut sick pay for unvaccinated UK staff who are forced to self-isolate because of close contact with someone with Covid-19
// Unvaccinated workers at Ikea are only eligible for statutory sick pay of £96.35 a week during 10 days of isolation
Furniture giant Ikea has slashed sick pay entitlement for some unvaccinated staff forced to self-isolate after close contact with someone infected with Covid.
The move means unvaccinated workers, who are required by the Government to isolate for 10 days after close contact, could receive as little as £96.35 a week under Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) obligations, a legal minimum.
That compares with the average pay for Ikea shopfloor staff of £10.10 an hour outside London and £11.30 in the capital – the equivalent of £404 and £452 for an average working week.
READ MORE:
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- Ikea praised by Usdaw as its staff wages go beyond new Living Wage rates
In an effort to tackle the impact of the ‘pingdemic’ hitting businesses, from last August people in England who were double jabbed were no longer legally required to self-isolate if they were identified as a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case – but unvaccinated workers contacted by NHS Test and Trace are required to isolate.
Ikea, which has 21 large stores and more than 10,000 staff in the UK, said ‘mitigating circumstances’ would be taken into consideration.
‘We appreciate that this is an emotive topic and all circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis, therefore anyone in doubt or concerned about their situation is encouraged to speak to their manager,’ said a spokeswoman.
Employment experts have suggested that “no jab, no job” policies would be difficult for companies in the UK to enforce because of stronger worker protections and rules against discrimination. However, UK care workers have been obliged to be vaccinated since November.
The retailer is among a string of companies such as Santander and Asda which encouraged employees to receive a coronavirus jab, offering paid time off for vaccinations.
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8 Comments. Leave new
Absolutely correct IKEA. The unvaccinated must take responsibility for their own actions/inaction!
Bob, you are a moron. Vaccinated people are testing positive by bigger percentages every day. This action is discrimination and illegal. If you can take your head out of your ass and clean the shit from your eyes, ears and mouth. You might be able to see/hear/taste a bit more than the crap you are currentlly consuming. Unvaccinated people do not spread the virus any more so then vaccinated. Sheeptard.
My body belongs to me, so IKEA policy will cost them dear I will never support this company ever again as a customer if they treat their workers like this
Ive had to isolate due to having covid and im fighting to get basic sick pay! At least you are getting that!! Not ideal but better than nothing!
Idiotic as it perpetuates the misunderstanding of omicron. Vaccinated and unvaccinated are infected and spreading the virus the same; the difference is the severity of symptoms. If exposed, the vaccinated should be isolating exactly the same as the unvaccinated, so this is a decision based purely on political bias not science.
Perfect answer.
Bob Levin, you’re an idiot.
How is it fair that someone unvaccinated, who has to take time off for the same reasons as somone that is vaccinated, has their sick pay cut, while the vaccinated person doesn’t, yet they’re still off work?
This is a political move and not based on science… It’s pathetic.
So Bob… Should fat people be denied medical treatment because they put uneccessary stress on the NSH?
Should smokers be denied medical treatment for the same reason?
You’re an absolute clown, leaving lessages like that.
STFU.
How is it fair that someone unvaccinated, who has to take time off for the same reasons as somone that is vaccinated, has their sick pay cut, while the vaccinated person doesn’t, yet they’re still off work?
This is a political move and not based on science… It’s pathetic.
So Bob… Should fat people be denied medical treatment because they put uneccessary stress on the NSH?
Should smokers be denied medical treatment for the same reason?