No one should suffer a financial detriment as a result of following government and public health advice says GMB Union. 

GMB, the union for social care workers, has worked with Larchwood Care to secure full and normal pay for staff who have to self-isolate due to Covid-19.

Larchwood Care, who have homes across the country, have agreed their carers will not suffer financially if they contract Covid-19, or have to self-isolate.

It’s the second big GMB win for care workers suffering from coronavirus after the union secured full sick pay for 27,000 HC-One carers in the event of a positive test result.

The majority of the social care workforce are only entitled to statutory sick pay for illness. That’s just £95.85 per week.

Kelly Andrews, GMB Care Lead, said:

“GMB has been campaigning and lobbying government for full pay for all workers who have to take time off work for Covid-19 reasons.

“No one should suffer a financial detriment as a result of following government and public health advice. The entitlement to SSP only just spreads poverty and infection.

“GMB welcomes the announcement by Larchwood Care to now pay their workers full pay and we call on all care providers to do the same.

“GMB calls on all employers to make full and normal pay for any sickness a contractual right.”