Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions

Ensure employees are paid their full wage if they can't work due to coronavirus

Closed 700 signatures

What the petition asks

Employees have been told they will be entitled to statutory sick pay if they contract COVID-19 or if they stay at home due to Government advice. However over the quarantine period this comes to a maximum of £188.50.
If an employee earning NMW at £8.21 an hour works 30 hours per week they would lose £304.10 which makes paying rent, bills and council tax extremely difficult.

This loss of income could have detrimental effects such as homelessness, especially for individuals who lose even more of their income.

Now that WHO has given COVID-19 pandemic status, it is important that if people fall ill or isolate themselves on Government advice they do not have to worry financially. If an individual is too worried about finances, they may feel obliged to work, which would spread COVID-19 extensively especially for those working in care, hospitality & retail. Pay everyone the hours they are contracted to instead.

Timeline

19 Mar 2020 Petition opened for signatures
19 Sep 2020 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 700
Status Closed
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 19 Mar 2020
Closed 19 Sep 2020

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.