In a memo, reported by The Mirror, the company said staff with the virus could continue to work in stores if they felt well enough to. Wilko confirmed the memo was sent out and the firm has since made a U-turn.
“When we get something wrong, we hold our hands up, admit it, and work to correct the situation,” the firm said. Jerome Saint-Marc, Wilko chief executive, said he wanted to “reassure all our customers and team members” that the company’s advice to staff with Covid symptoms or those who test positive was to stay at home and avoid contact with others.
Although there is no longer a legal obligation for a person with Covid-19 to self-isolate, this is still an area where employers need to be careful.
Employers still have an obligation to provide a safe working environment, so perhaps not allowing those who they know are unwell to enter their premises. They should also be wary of discrimination claims from the vulnerable if they are being asked to work alongside someone who has Covid-19.
Wilko have, correctly, backtracked on their original advice to staff.
The law in this article is current as of 18 March 2022.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60733394
If you have any employment law queries, please do not hesitate to contact David Nathan at [email protected] or on 020 7822 2247.
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