Aldi worker battling leukaemia 'can't take sick pay after using up allowance'

A woman who is battling cancer claims she has been denied sick pay after she used up her allowance following a bike accident.

Tanya Sked was told she had spinal leukaemia last month after she visited the doctor having felt "unwell" for a number of weeks.

The devastating diagnosis means she has been admitted to hospital and will have to take time off work to undergo chemotherapy.

But the 46-year-old, who works as a shop assistant at Aldi in Baguley, Wythenshawe, told the Manchester Evening News she has already used up her sick-pay allowance, which is four weeks per year.

In 2018, Tanya was forced to take a month off work after she broke her shoulder, having been knocked off her bike during her commute to work.

Now she and her husband Steven are having to rely on statutory sick pay and his earnings to pay the bills.

Tanya says she is struggling to cope financially.

Tanya Sked claims she has been denied sick pay (MEN Media)

Her friends and colleagues have now launched a fundraiser, in a bid to raise enough money so Tanya and Steven can focus on her treatment.

A JustGiving Page set up by her co-worker, Kyle said: "Tanya has been part of our Aldi family for several years.

"Originally from Russia, Tanya moved to England in 2006 and is very happily married to her loving husband Steven.

"Tanya is the most hard working, kind, loving and thoughtful person I know and has unfortunately not had a very nice year.

The diagnosis means she has been admitted to hospital and will have to take more time off work to undergo chemotherapy (MEN Media)

"Not so long ago Tanya was knocked off her bike on her way home from work, resulting in a badly broken shoulder meaning Tanya had to take several weeks off work.

"Tanya returned to work with her amazing positive attitude and continued life as though nothing had happened, unfortunately, Tanya was just about to face her toughest challenge yet."

He continued: "Tanya became very poorly very quickly and has sadly been diagnosed with leukaemia. She just finished 10 intense days of chemotherapy and is very poorly.

"Sadly, Tanya's company sick pay was used up during the last time she had off work when she had her bike accident."

An Aldi spokesperson said: “Everyone at Aldi is rallying around Tanya during this difficult time and we are arranging a number of fundraising activities to support her.

"We continue to wish Tanya well in her recovery and look forward to her returning to store as soon as she is well enough to do so.”