Ikea cuts sick pay for unvaccinated staff forced to self-isolate

Ikea has cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff who need to self-isolate due to Covid.

The retailer is the latest in a number of businesses that are adapting their policies amid the changing circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead of their normal sick pay being equal to a full wage, workers could lose out on hundreds of pounds and get as little as £96.35 a week – the minimum Statutory Sick Pay.

Ikea said those who have not been jabbed due to mitigating circumstances, including pregnancy or other medical grounds, will get full pay.

The company said it understood the “highly emotive topic” which will affect staff in its three Scottish locations – Glasgow, Edinburgh and its order and collection point in Aberdeen.

In Scotland, those who test positive for Covid-19 must self-isolate for at least seven days.

Any close contact who is not fully vaccinated with three doses still has to self-isolate for ten days and take a PCR test.

An Ikea spokesperson said: “Since the start of the pandemic, the health and safety of our co-workers has been our highest priority. Since then, Ikea has been working with a separate absence addendum, which is regularly reviewed in line with changes to Government guidance.

“Following the vaccine roll out and changes in the Government’s isolation requirements, our approach to Covid-related absences evolved from the September 20, 2021 – an approach developed with our social partners and national co-worker committee.

“Fully vaccinated co-workers or those that are unvaccinated owing to mitigating circumstances which, for example, could include pregnancy or other medical grounds, will receive full pay.

“Unvaccinated co-workers without mitigating circumstances that test positive with Covid will be paid full company sick pay in line with our company absence policy.

Unvaccinated co-workers without mitigating circumstances who have been identified as close contacts of a positive case will be paid Statutory Sick Pay.

“We know this is a highly emotive topic and we appreciate there are many unique circumstances. As such, all will be considered on a case by case basis.”