Asda has announced that it is extending its support for colleagues who are impacted by Covid-19 and needing to self-isolate.
In addition to providing full pay to colleagues who have been identified by Government as needing to self-isolate for 12 weeks, the supermarket has also confirmed that it will be taking further steps to protect colleagues impacted by Covid-19 by offering fully paid leave to colleagues who are vulnerable - eg over 70 or pregnant - as well as the carers of extremely vulnerable people.
Whilst official guidance only recommends vulnerable groups practice strict social distancing, the supermarket has recognised the difficulties of adhering to these guidelines for colleagues working in its stores and depots. In response, Asda has confirmed that it will provide them with 12 weeks’ pay to allow them to self-isolate and protect their health and that of their family during Coronavirus.
Over the past week, Asda has announced several far-reaching measures to help keep customers and colleagues safe through social distancing which includes clear signage, directional barriers and floor markings to help customers move around our store easily and maintain a 2-metre distance.
Hayley Tatum, Asda’s Chief People Officer commented;
“Protecting our customers and colleagues has always been our main priority throughout these uncertain times and we want to do everything we can to help keep them and their families safe. We don’t want any of our colleagues worrying about being paid if they need to self-isolate as a result of Coronavirus which is why we’ve take the decision to pay them for the next 12-weeks.
I am so incredibly proud of our colleagues and all of their hard work through this difficult time, as they continue to support our customers and their community”.
Asda colleagues are working around the clock to keep shelves filled for customers and earlier this week, the supermarket announced that all colleagues playing their part to serve customers in these unprecedented times will receive an additional week’s pay in June to thank them for their hard work.
To find out more about what we are doing for our colleagues and customers, please follow this link to our blog.