Ikea Cuts Sick Pay For Unvaccinated Staff

Ikea has announced that unvaccinated staff may miss out on sick pay.

The Swedish homeware giant says unjabbed employees who miss work due to self-isolating after catching Covid will have their pay cut.

Under the current system, the average shop floor worker receives a weekly wage of over £400 - before tax - while off due to Covid.

Ikea has said its unvaccinated workers, though, will only receive £96.35 a week during 10 days of isolation.

Speaking about the news, a spokesperson for Ikea said it will, however, be considered on a case by case basis.

The store said: "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."

Alamy

Ikea isn't the first company to cut sick pay for those workers who have not yet received the Covid vaccine.

In September last year, it was announced that Morrisons was doing the same.

At the time, David Potts, the chief executive of the company, said it had suffered "biblical costs of managing Covid" and was trying to recoup its losses.

He said: "Seventy-one percent of folk already have [had the vaccine] and we are all in this together."

However, following the announcement, an employe told the Guardian: "It feels almost like the company is coercing people into getting the jab."

Likewise, Ikea has also come in for a some criticism over its announcement.

One person wrote: "Ikea are sanctioning unvaccinated workers 75 percent of their wages if they have to self isolate because they've come into contact with someone who has Covid.

Alamy

"Cynical cost saving from a multinational corporation. This is wrong."

Another added: "Surely that’s illegal in employment law? Any solicitors on here who can confirm it?"

Wessex Water also announced that from today (10 January) any unvaccinated employee who tests positive for Covid will not receive the full sick pay allowance.

A spokesperson said: "The vast majority of our workforce has been vaccinated and it’s important as a company providing essential services with key worker employees, the remainder get vaccinated to protect themselves, customers and their colleagues. To make it easy for our staff, vaccine appointments can be booked in work time.

"Absences due to Covid have doubled in the last week, so we need everyone to be available so we can continue to provide uninterrupted essential water and sewerage services."

Topics: Coronavirus, Health