IKEA has decided to reduce sick pay for all unvaccinated employees who are forced to self-isolate as a result of the covid exposure, as well as some workers who test positive.
Wessex Water will begin implementing sick pay cuts this week, while other major corporations in the United States have already begun penalising unvaccinated employees.
It comes at a time when businesses are dealing with widespread employee absenteeism and growing expenditures.
Unvaccinated personnel who test positive at Ikea and do not have mitigating circumstances will be awarded sick pay in accordance with company policy.
Without mitigating circumstances, unvaccinated workers who are forced to isolate due to being recognised as close contact might now be paid as little as £96.35 per week – the statutory sick pay (SSP) level.
A Spokesperson from IKEA said,”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.”
Ikea, which employs about 10,000 people in the UK, said in a statement: “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.
“Statutory Sick Pay will be awarded to unvaccinated coworkers without mitigating circumstances who have been recognised as close contacts of a positive case.”
