IKEA has decided to cut sick pay for all the unvaccinated staff who have to self-isolate due to the covid exposure and in some cases for workers who test positive.
While from this week, sick pay cuts will be implemented at Wessex Water, and in the US several major companies have already started penalizing unvaccinated workers.
It comes as firms struggle with mass staff absences and rising costs.
At Ikea unvaccinated workers, who do not have mitigating circumstances, who test positive will be paid in line with company sick pay.
Unvaccinated workers, without mitigating circumstances and required to isolate owing to being identified as close contact, could now receive as little as £96.35 a week – the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) minimum.
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.
“Unvaccinated co-workers without mitigating circumstances who have been identified as close contacts of a positive case will be paid Statutory Sick Pay.”