Covid-19 absences & vaccinations (LBG)
Managing absences
As of the 1st November 2021, Covid related absences are managed in line with the bank's standard absence policy. Find out what your sick pay entitlements are. We're in further discussions with the business about further support with the Omicron variant now in wide circulation. This article will be updated should the guidance change.
Self-isolation
If you feel unwell with symptoms of Covid or you test positive for Covid-19, you are advised to remain home and avoid contact with other people (especially those at higher risk from Covid-19).
The current guidance is to try to remain home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, and meeting those at the highest risk for 10 days. This starts from the day you test positive (or the day you started to feel unwell).
You should be able to return to work and normal activities after 5 days, but you should remain home if you feel unwell or unfit to return to work, have a high temperature or have other symptoms like a persistent cough or sneezing which may indicate you are still infectious. We would recommend taking Covid-19 lateral flow tests which can be obtain from your workplace.
You can find more information on the NHS guidance page.
Vaccination
Lloyds Banking Group is supportive of anybody wishing to receive a jab or booster shot. Should you need time off to make an appointment, you need to discuss with your manager to agree for your release and how this will be handled.
For most people, you may feel some mild symptoms the following day after your jab, but occasionally people have stronger reactions and may need time off to recover. If this happens to you, follow the standard absence reporting procedures for your part of the business. The bank will provide 3 days of emergency paid leave should you feel unwell following vaccination. Absences that last longer than this will be recorded as normal sickness absence.
Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant an individual risk assessment must be carried out and any adjustments should be put in place immediately. Pregnant women of any gestation should not be required to continue working if this is not supported by the risk assessment.
The bank's current policy is that staff who are 28 weeks or more pregnant who cannot work from home should remain at home on full pay. We’re working with the business to consider what more can be done to keep pregnant colleagues safe. We'll update this page should any guidance change.
Need support?
If you're recovering from Covid-19, or if you've developed long Covid and need extra support, we've got some further guidance for you.
If you need support, or you think you're being treated unfairly, contact your local Accord officer to discuss further. Feel free to chat to us through our online chat (available Monday-Thursday 8:30-17:30 & Friday 08:30-17:00), or drop us an email to [email protected].