Retail chain Wilko has apologized for “some misunderstandings” in which it told staff they could continue working if they tested positive for Covid.
In a memo reported by The Mirror, the company said employees with the virus could continue to work in stores if they felt well enough to do so.
Wilko confirmed that the memo was sent and the company has since made a U-turn.
“When we do something wrong, we hold our hands up, admit it and work to rectify the situation,” the company said.
Jerome Saint-Marc, Wilko chief executive, said he wanted to “reassure all our customers and team members” that the company’s advice to employees with Covid symptoms, or those who have tested positive, is to stay at home and to avoid contact with others.
“As in all of our 92 years on the High Street, the safety and wellbeing of our buyers and teams is at the heart of our business and we truly apologize for any understandable concerns our communications may have raised,” he added.
People with Covid in England are no longer required by law to self-isolate as all restrictions are now lifted, but it is still recommended.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, people are still being told to self-isolate after testing positive.
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In Wilko’s initial memo to employees, the company, which has 414 stores across the UK, said: “If you test positive for Covid-19 and you’re feeling well you can keep coming to work, if you’re too unwell you can stay away pursue politics.”
The lifting of all legal Covid rules has made the decision on whether or not to self-isolate.
It has raised concerns that lower-paid workers face the toughest decision of whether or not to isolate, as up to two million workers are not entitled to sick pay based on their pay.
The Trades Union Congress has said people should not be forced to make a “terrible decision” about going to work with Covid or risk losing income by self-isolating at home.
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