MILLIONS of Brits can now book booster appointments after Boris Johnson announced an acceleration of jab roll out plans.
The Prime Minister said the government is targeting the majority of Brits to get booster before the end of December to fight against the spread of the Omicron variant.
It comes after The Sun relaunched our hugely successful Jabs Army campaign urging the country to get vaccinated.
Appointments will be made available seven days a week, from early in the morning until late into the evening.
But it still means 19million jabs need to be made in under three weeks.
So where do you stand when it comes to time off for getting your booster jab? We explain your rights.
Can I take time off to get my Covid booster jab?
Alan Price, boss of BrightHR, told The Sun that employers are under no legal obligation to provide time off to attend booster appointments, unless they have a specific policy that offers time off for medical appointments.
He said: "The accelerated rollout of Covid booster jabs will mean a greater number of the workforce requesting time off to attend vaccination appointments.
Most read in Money
EXTRA SUPPORT 
Thousands of households could get £100 FREE cash before Xmas – how to claim
2 EuroMillions winners have just DAYS to claim £1m jackpot – or lose it
Brits can earn hundreds by reselling childhood toys including Monopoly
You’re buying your Christmas dinner WRONG – the top seven foods we waste cash on
"But employers should recognise that not offering this might discourage employees from getting vaccinated."
You should speak to your employer to see if you can take time off work to get your Covid booster jab.
? Read our Omicron live blog for the latest updates
Do I get paid if I take time off to get my Covid booster jab?
Previous research from Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) found that one in four employers offered no paid time off to staff to get their Covid vaccine.
Much like taking the time off itself, whether you get paid for it or not is up to your employer's rules.
Mr Price said: "Time off to attend booster appointments can be unpaid or employees can be asked to make up the hours, again subject to any existing policies.
"However, employers may want to allow paid time off to attend the appointment to encourage employees to get the booster jab."
You should check with your employer if you need to make up the time, or if it's paid, so you don't have any surprises later on, like less pay than expected.
Acas recommends that employers should support support staff in getting the vaccine once it's offered to them.
It also says that companies should consider a vaccine policy that works for staff and the organisation – and it could help avoid disputes later.
Mr Price said: "Employers should ensure that employees’ requests for time off to attend booster appointments are treated consistently to reduce the risk of claims for discrimination, constructive unfair dismissal or breach of contract.
"Having a clear Covid vaccine policy and ensuring this is implemented, can help to reduce the risk of such claims."
What if I'm sick from my Covid booster jab?
Some people have experienced side effects from the Covid jab including the booster.
Any absence if you're unwell after your booster jab is treated like any other sick day.
If you are entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP) you'll get £96.35 per week, for up to 28 weeks.
Usually you need to have been sick for at least four days in a row – including non-working days.
Sick pay is one of the rights employees are entitled to as part of their contracts, along with others such as maternity or paternity leave, rest breaks and time off.
But if you're self-employed or a contract worker, the rules about what you're entitled too are different.
You can find out more about the rules for SSP and how to claim.
You may get more than statutory pay if your company offers more, depending on its policy.
Again, companies might want to consider paying full pay for vaccine related absence to encourage take-up of the booster, says Mr Price.
Here's how to get yout Covid Booster jab and how to book it.
This is the full list of shops, venues and pubs where you’ll need a vaccine passport from today.
These are your rights when working from home, which is advised from today.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Money team?
Email us at [email protected]
Source: Read Full Article
