Shoppers have threatened to boycott Wilko after GMB union says the hardware store is set to slash sick pay for tens of thousands of retail and distribution workers.

People have headed to social media to share their concerns for staff members at this unprecedented time amid coronavirus, which currently sees employees up and down the country off sick if they are diagnosed or in self-isolation if they are suffering from symptoms.

A number of shoppers have compared the retailer to Home Bargains, who on Wednesday evening revealed they have created a £30million fund to financially support their workers during this turbulent period.

However, a spokesperson from Wilko has said the move is to reduce their high sickness absence levels to be in line with 'industry standard'.

They say it is in no way related to the Covid-19 outbreak and assured that team members will be paid sick pay if they need time off as a result of the virus.

But in a petition created by the union, they argue: "Under the cruel plans there would be no company sick pay after the first occasion of sickness and anyone who has been with the company for less than a year is entitled to no sick pay at all from Wilko.

"Even long-standing staff would only be eligible for sick pay on one occasion per year."

(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)

As part of the backlash, the union went on to say Wilko is now facing potential strike action.

In support of Wilko staff, one Twitter-user expressed: "I use Wilko all the time but I'll never set foot in another Wilko if you refuse to care for your employees.

"Put your money where your mouth is and show your employees that you truly value them. People have long memories #wilkosick I'll be boycotting you til you step up."

Another said: "I urge everyone to teach this greedy nasty company a lesson by boycotting them even if you need things. There are other stores."

A spokesperson from wilko said: “We have been a family friendly company for 90 years and we remain so.

“We have been talking to the GMB about our pressing need to reduce our high sickness absence levels for some time and to bring them in line with our competitors.

“We have a generous company sick pay policy which is over and above the market. In some areas of our business, absence levels are double that of the industry standard and this is a real concern for us.

“Our plan is to take steps to bring our company sick pay into line with the industry standard for retail to be competitive in the marketplace for our customers.

“This is not related in any way to the Covid-19 outbreak. As a responsible business we are following PHE advice, should any team members need time off as a result of Covid-19, they will be paid Company Sick Pay as an exceptional circumstance.”

You can read the full petition by GMB Union here: https://www.gmb.org.uk/campaign/wilko-dont-scrap-sick-pay