IKEA has slashed sick pay for unvaccinated UK staff who are self-isolating because of close contact with someone with COVID-19.
The controversial move – which was first reported by the Mail on Sunday – means that unvaccinated UK workers at the global furniture retailer, who are forced to isolate for that reason, could now be only entitled to the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) minimum of £96.35 a week during 10 days of isolation.
That compares to more than £400 for an average 40-hour IKEA shop floor week.
When it comes to unvaccinated employees who test positive themselves, managers at IKEA – which has a number of stores in the North West region, including in Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside, and employs 10,000 staff in the UK – said they will receive full company sick pay, which is higher than the statutory level.
Yet staff who are vaccinated – or unvaccinated due to mitigating circumstances – will receive full pay if they are off for COVID-related reasons.
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Mitigating circumstances include pregnancy or other medical grounds
IKEA has slashed sick pay for unvaccinated UK staff who are self-isolating because of being a close contact / Credit: IKEA
Addressing the move, a spokesperson for IKEA said: “Since the start of the pandemic, the health and safety of our co-workers has been our highest priority [and] since then, IKEA has been working with a separate absence addendum, which is regularly reviewed in line with changes to government guidance.
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“Following the vaccine roll out and changes in the government’s isolation requirements, our approach to COVID-related absences evolved from the 20 September 2021 – an approach developed with our social partners and national co-worker committee.”
They added: “We know this is a highly emotive topic and we appreciate there are many unique circumstances.
“As such, all will be considered on a case by case basis.”
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Unvaccinated staff will only entitled to the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) minimum of £96.35 a week during 10 days of isolation / Credit: IKEA
At present, people who had had at least two doses of a COVID vaccine are not required to self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone infected – but by law, people who are unvaccinated and are contacted through the government’s ‘Test and Trace’ system must self-isolate for 10 days.
IKEA is not the first employer to introduced measures for unvaccinated staff.
Big American employers including Google and United Airlines have introduced “no jab, no job” policies with varying degrees of strictness, while Virgin Atlantic announced last year it will not hire new cabin crew or pilots who are not fully vaccinated.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester with DJs blasting 2000s indie and emo anthems
Emily Sergeant
A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester this spooky season.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the release of the titular first film in the Twilight Saga, based on author Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series of the same name, but despite two decades having passed, the films remain as beloved as ever.
Twilight went on to become a global phenomenon when it first hit cinemas back in November 2008, not just with its target audience of teens and young adults, but with people of all ages – making stars out of its lead actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the process, and generating millions at the box office.
With the impact it had on the culture at the time, it’s no wonder Twilight remained among fans’ favourites all these years later.
And this success is why events company Throwback Events is hosting a series of Twilight Raves across the UK and Europe this autumn, making a stop off here in Manchester in late November with tickets now on sale.
The event description reads: “Bella, where the hell you been loca? Join us as we celebrate Twilight at the club, where every day is Hoa Hoa Hoa season.
“Step into the shadows and relive the magic, mystery, and eternal romance of Twilight. Get ready for a night of anthems, nostalgia, and glittering darkness as we transform the dancefloor into Forks’ most iconic vampire coven.”
DJs will be spinning Twilight soundtracks on the night, alongside dark pop, emo, indie, and 2000s bangers, as well as playing fan edits from the films on big screens.
Oh, and to make it all the better, dressing up as vampires and werewolves is ‘highly encouraged’.
Fancy it then? The Twilight Rave is coming to the Deaf Institute in Manchester on Saturday 21 November, and tickets will set you back upwards of £7 each.
The Manc -
11th January 2022 
