Waitrose will no longer ask workers who are self-isolating to “make up their hours” at a later date.
The U-turn comes after the supermarket apologised for asking employees who were taking extended time off to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to “pay back” the days they missed.
Under Public Health England guidelines, individuals must self-isolate for at least seven days if they develop symptoms, or at least 14 days if someone in their household develops symptoms.
If you are staying at home because of COVID-19, you can claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from day one. This includes individuals who are “caring for people in the same household” and “therefore have been advised to do a household quarantine”.
However, Waitrose bosses asked staff taking longer than two weeks leave to “time bank” where possible. Experts say this may have resulted in workers continuing to work, even if they were required to self-isolate for longer than 14 days.
The policy also implied that workers may have had to work unpaid to make up hours.
Waitrose told staff: “Where possible we are asking Partners to time bank, however we are being flexible about when time can be paid back, including into 2021, and we understand that isn’t possible for everyone – particularly where partners may need to isolate for more than one period.”
“So we are being as flexible and supportive to our Partners as we can and everyone will be looked at on an individual basis and discussed with their manager.”
But just hours later Waitrose issued an apology, reversing its policy on time banking.
The spokesperson said: “We are really sorry that we got it wrong. Partners who are self-isolating without symptoms and unable to work from home will no longer be required to ‘time bank’ any of their time. Instead they will be on authorised paid absence from day one.”
They added: “For all Partners who are self-isolating due to a family member displaying COVID-19 symptoms, if they are physically well enough themselves to work then we will explore the option of working at home in the first instance.
“However, as with many of our shop floor Partners, this is not an option available to them. Therefore, these Partners will be paid in full for the duration of their self-isolation.”
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