LISTEN: Care home owners failing to maintain pay for their ill and shielding staff, says union representing workers

By Q Radio News

There is anger that some care home owners are not paying their staff if they are ill or shielding because of COVID-19.

The concerns have been raised by UNISON who say some employers aren't accessing a scheme to provide public money to subsidise sick pay.

In October, the Department of Health said it would extend its scheme to provide publically funded financial support to care home owners to subsidise statutory sick pay up to 80% of average salary for workers when they are self-isolating, shielding or ill due to Covid-19.  

However, UNISON has now raised concerns about its implementation, as it appeared then that many providers were dragging their feet and  failing  to access the funding.  

Marianne Buick, UNISON Regional Organiser said: “Challenging your employer requires a certain amount of confidence and means that staff in vulnerable positions are most likely not to be receiving any top up."

Marianne Buick speaking to Q Radio

"Our members have been told by growing numbers of employers that the scheme ‘ doesn't apply’ and that they should take Annual Leave instead if they wanted paid for their period of absence period. We have had multiple examples of staff using their entire Annual Leave in the last 8 months in various periods of self-isolation."

"Paying staff who are absent due to Covid is not only the right thing to do to treat essential front-line staff with a minimum of fairness and respect, it is also crucial to infection control."

"We call on the Department to ensure all Care Home providers make use of the scheme and implement the 80% immediately."