Morrisons rules out sick pay for unvaccinated staff

Supermarket chain Morrisons is reportedly set to cut sick pay for unvaccinated employees who may need to self-isolate.

According to City AM, Morrisons made the decision to help limit the “biblical costs” of the pandemic and and hopes that it would help mitigate supply chain issues.

David Potts, chief executive of the business, shared that shortages of HGV drivers and the rising prices of goods have contributed to the “biblical costs of managing Covid”.

While the policy has been set out to reduce costs, Potts also shared that it would help to encourage staff to get the vaccine.

He continued: “71% of folk already have [had the vaccine] and we are all in this together.”

The reduction to sick pay will not apply to staff who have had the opportunity to receive two doses of the coronavirus vaccine or to those who have symptoms of the virus.

A spokesperson for the supermarket said: “From 1 October, following government confirmation that all adults have had the opportunity to get double vaccinated, we will no longer be paying full sick pay for pinged colleagues who have chosen not to be vaccinated.”

Sick pay extension

The new policy set out by Morrisons comes as the Labour party recently pledged to extend sick pay to all and raise it.

National trade union Trades Union Congress has welcomed the pledge from Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, stated: “Keir promised that the next Labour government will increase statutory sick pay and make sure everyone has access to it – including the lowest-paid workers.

“During the pandemic, too many couldn’t afford to self-isolate because sick pay is too low or they aren’t eligible for it at all. This badly undermined our public health effort during Covid.”

O’Grady pointed out that no one should be forced into “financial hardship if they fall ill at work”.

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