Ikea slashes sick pay for unjabbed staff who isolate after Covid contact

IKEA has slashed sick pay for unvaccinated workers when they are told to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone with Covid.

The change essentially means that staff who have not been jabbed and are required to self-isolate for ten days after contacting someone infected with the virus could receive the legal minimum of £96.35 a week.

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Compared to the average pay of Ikea staff of £10.10 per hour or £11.30 in London, it would mean £404 or £452 for a whole week, the Mail on Sunday reported.

A spokesperson for IKEA told the outlet: “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.”

The retailer later clarified that the policy only affects unvaccinated workers with “high levels of absence”.

It comes as a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.

Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.

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Back in August, double-vaxxed Brits were no longer required to self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone who tested positive, as the hated “pingemic” came to an end.

Those who had not received their vaccines needed to self-isolate when contacting someone with Covid.

While it is not a legal requirement for employees in other areas to be vaccinated, jabs have become compulsory for frontline NHS staff in a bid to tackle the virus.

Social care and NHS workers are required to get their Covid jab.

Sajid Javid previously said the move will protect vulnerable patients from catching the virus.

Meanwhile, the Health Secretary has slammed “anti-vaccination fanatics” after he revealed that nine out of ten Covid patients in ICU have not had their booster jab.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Sajid Javid said that a “shocking 70 per cent of Covid patients taking up beds in intensive care were unvaccinated…” before branding “disappointing” that tennis star Djokovic is “fuelling scepticism” about the vaccines.

Around half a million vaccination appointments are being made available online in England for the 12 to 15-year-olds during January, a senior doctor has said – with slots available at around 500 walk-in sites and 300 centres.

It comes as the Education Secretary said Covid rules are set to be reviewed amid calls to reduce self-isolation from seven days to five.

Nadhim Zahawi argued that reducing the isolation period for those who test positive could help ease staffing shortages.

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