High street retailer Next has cut sick pay for any of its staff who are unvaccinated but must self isolate due to Covid-19 exposure.
Next reportedly understands that it is an "emotive topic", however, the move is seen as a balance between staff and shareholder needs.
Unvaccinated staff will still get full sick pay if they test positive for the virus, reports the BBC.
The retailer's move follows a similar one by Ikea.
Swedish furniture seller Ikea announced a similar measure for its 10,000 UK staff on January 10.
Government rules currently mean that people who have been jabbed do not need to isolate if they have been exposed to a positive case.
However, unvaccinated close contacts must still self-isolate for 10 full days after their date of exposure.
Employers have been hit by absences across workforces since the more infectious Omicron Covid strain became prevalent in the UK.
The change at Next is believed to have been made recently.
It means that unvaccinated workers required to isolate could now receive as little as £96.35 a week - the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) minimum.
According to reports, Next currently pays store sales consultants and stock assistants between £6.55 and £9.21 an hour and warehouse operatives between £9.30 and £11.26 an hour.
