Morrisons becomes latest retailer to cut sick pay for the unvaccinated

Morrisons has become the latest business to confirm it will cut sick pay for unvaccinated members of staff who are forced to isolate after being exposed to Covid.

The decision means Morrisons workers who are required to isolate but test negative for Covid-19 will only receive the statutory sick pay – £96.35 per week.

The move however does not affect any staff members – vaccinated or unvaccinated – who are forced to self isolate and test positive for the virus. They will continue to receive the firm’s normal pay which starts at £10 per hour.

The Bradford-based supermarket is not the first retailer to make this decision with Next announcing a similar policy last week, alongside Ikea and Ocado. The decision comes as businesses have seen an increase in staff absences.

Morrisons chief executive David Potts

The concept was originally mooted by the company’s chief executive last year during an investor call when, David Potts divulged a plan to tackle what he described as the “biblical costs” of the Covid-19 crisis and the challenges around the shortages of HGV drivers and the growing supply chain costs.

At the time Potts noted the move was designed to encourage workers to get vaccinated.

Confirming details of the policy change to the BBC, the supermarket noted it only applies to workers who are unvaccinated and will be considered on a case-by-case basis

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